Buckner Lab

Autoimmunity

Introduction

The Buckner Lab is focused on identifying the underlying mechanisms by which regulation of the adaptive immune response fails or is overcome in the setting of human autoimmunity. Our multipronged approach integrates the study of genes associated with disease risk, the study of lymphocyte populations implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disease and the analysis of carefully curated biological samples from well-characterized subjects with type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus and relapsing polychondritis.

The goal in all of our studies is to understand how pathways known to regulate the immune response are altered in the setting of disease, and further when and how these mechanisms of failed tolerance contribute to the development and progression of human disease.

Jane Buckner
BRI President

Jane Buckner, MD

President, BRI; Member; Principal Investigator, Buckner Lab
View Full Bio

Lab Members

Aleah DeSchmidt

Aleah DeSchmidt

Research Technician, Buckner Lab
Ethan McClain

Ethan McClain

Research Technician, Buckner Lab
Mishra Arpit

Arpit Mishra, PhD

Staff Scientist, Buckner Lab
Emma Mortensen

Emma Mortensen

Research Technician, Buckner Lab
Sylvia Posso

Sylvia Posso

Translational Research Project Manager, Buckner Lab
Cliff Rims

Cliff Rims

Research Technician, Buckner Lab
Song Jing

Jing Song, PhD

Staff Scientist, Buckner Lab
Megan Tatum

Megan Tatum

Research Technician, Buckner Lab
Ritika Tewari

Ritika Tewari, PhD

Staff Scientist, Buckner Lab
Soo Jung Yang

Soo Jung Yang, PhD

Research Assistant Member; Principal Investigator, Yang Lab
Nadir Ziane

Nadir Ziane

Lab Technician, Buckner Lab

Research Projects

Buckner Research Project Preview - Altered T Cell Function in AID

Altered T cell function in human autoimmune disease

The Buckner lab has a long-standing interest in understanding how T cell function is altered in human autoimmune disease.

View Project
Buckner Research Project Preview - Regulatory T Cells in the context of Autoimmune Disease

Regulatory T cells in the context of autoimmune disease

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) defined by expression of CD4, CD25 and the transcription factor FOXP3 play an essential role in maintaining immune tolerance and preventing the development of autoimmunity by suppressing effector T cell (Teff) proliferation and cytokine production.
View Project
Buckner Research Project Preview - Antigen-specific T Cells in autoimmunity

Antigen-specific T cells in autoimmunity

Antigen-specific T cells play a central role in the adaptive immune response, driving the cellular response to foreign antigens and maintaining immune tolerance to self-antigens as well as contributing to the formation of immunological memory.
View Project

Blog Stories

Blog Main Image - 3D Biological Cells Blue
March 29, 2023

Learning How Tregs Keep Your Immune System in Check

The immune system keeps us healthy by maintaining a delicate balance. Every cell has a purpose: Some sound the alarm when they see an invader. Some attack germs that don’t belong. And some patrol the other cells in the immune system to make sure they’re doing their job.
Read Article
Dr. Buckner reviewing information
February 4, 2023

BRI's Vision of Immune Health

A message from BRI President Jane Buckner, MD, about BRI's new, broader vision for immune health.
Read Article
Blog Main Image - BRI Building Rear
December 30, 2022

A Heartfelt Thank You: One Scientist Shares How Donors Make an Impact at BRI

This giving season, on behalf of our team, I extend a heartfelt thank you to all BRI donors and share some of the meaningful ways your philanthropy supports our work.

Read Article

News

News ArthritisLife

BRI Investigators Jane Buckner, MD, and Carmen Mikacenic, MD, Interviewed on the Arthritis Life Podcast

Read More
Science in Seattle Logo

Science in Seattle: New Study from BRI and the UW Identify Novel Mechanism of Regulatory T Cells’ Role in Maintaining Immune System Homeostasis

Read More ➡
Science in Seattle Logo

Science in Seattle: A Promising New Approach to Stopping Type 1 Diabetes

Read more ➡