University of Virginia-Main Campus · PharmacologyMitochondrial Calcium and Immune Response Lab
Bimal N. Desai · Charlottesville, Virginia
Research Focus
Dr. Bimal N. Desai's lab at the University of Virginia focuses on understanding how immune cells, particularly phagocytes, utilize mitochondrial calcium signaling to quickly respond to infections. By exploring the interactions between mitochondria and phagosomes, this research aims to uncover the mechanisms that enable these cells to efficiently fight off pathogens and clear away cellular debris. This innovative work could lead to new therapies that enhance immune function and improve public health.
Calcium signalingphagocytosismitochondriaimmune responsepathogen detectionimmunometabolismmacrophagescellular defensemicrobial killing
Research Aims
3AIM 01Investigate how mitochondria-phagosome interactions are triggered by pathogens like Candida albicans.
AIM 02Define the regulatory mechanisms of mitochondrial calcium signaling in activated macrophages.
AIM 03Identify the metabolic outputs driven by mitochondrial calcium signaling that enhance microbial killing.
Skills the Lab Values
cell cultureimmunofluorescence microscopylive-cell imagingflow cytometryRNA sequencinggene editing techniqueselectron tomographycalcium imagingwestern blotting
Output against the department
Publications49bottom 6% of dept.435th of 462
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations3.2kbottom 24% of dept.350th of 462
this lab
most citedleast cited
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