University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus · BiologyMicroproteins and Autoimmunity Group
Anne-Ruxandra Carvunis · Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Research Focus
Dr. Anne-Ruxandra Carvunis' lab focuses on discovering the functions and evolutionary significance of microproteins, which are tiny proteins that have recently been found to be abundant but are often overlooked in genetic studies. They study how these microproteins evolve quickly and how the immune system influences their function, potentially linking them to autoimmune diseases. This research aims to better understand these previously unknown molecules, which could lead to new treatments for autoimmune conditions.
microproteinsimmune systemautoimmunityevolutionary biologyprotein function
Research Aims
5AIM 01Identify the evolutionary factors driving microprotein evolution.
AIM 02Determine the role of microproteins in immune system responses.
AIM 03Assess the autoimmune potential of novel microproteins.
AIM 04Construct a microprotein expression atlas in mouse models.
AIM 05Uncover the relationship between microproteins and health-related immune function.
Skills the Lab Values
ribosome profilinggenome editingmouse modelsgene expression analysisflow cytometry
Output against the department
Publications86bottom 28% of dept.747th of 1,033
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations7.9ktop 47% of dept.486th of 1,033
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.