Mary J. Bradford Professor in Gastroenterology
Professor of Medicine and Microbiology
| Address: | 1825 University Blvd Shelby, room 610 UAB Birmingham, AL 35294 |
| Telephone: | (205) 975-9254 |
| Email: | pdsmith@uab.edu |
| Publications |
__________________________________________________________
Education
B.A., University of California, Berkley, CA
M.D., University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
Internship/Residency in Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
Fellowship in Gastroenterology, University of Colorado
Postdoctoral Fellow in Parasite Immunology, NIH/NIAID
Research Interests
Dr. Smith's laboratory investigates the gastrointestinal immune responses to infectious agents and inflammatory stimuli. The mucosal cell functions currently being investigated include macrophage anergy, T regulatory and helper cell function, virus transcytosis, and the regulation of inflammation. The cellular and molecular basis for these responses are investigated by probing purified intestinal macrophages, intestinal lymphocytes and epithelial cells with pathogens such as cytomegalovirus, HIV-1 and Helicobacter pylori or their purified or cloned products. The goal of these studies is to elucidate the cascade of events that regulate mucosal immune responses to enteric pathogens and inflammatory stimuli. Understanding these responses is critical for developing novel therapeutic agents and vaccine strategies for mucosal diseases.