The Harrison Lab studies the mechanisms controlling host-microbe interactions at barrier tissues, primarily the skin and the gut. We perform our research in a multidisciplinary and collaborative manner, combining in vivo cellular and molecular immunology, using genetic mouse models, microbiology, transcriptomic, and epigenetic analyses, to understand how commensal-specific immunity contributes to tissue homeostasis and repair.
A major research interest in the lab is studying the role of commensal-specific T and B cells in the skin and gastrointestinal tract. To do so, we have generated new reagents, commensal-specific T and B cell tetramers, and T cell receptor transgenic mice, to enable us to identify, profile, and manipulate commensal-specific immune responses following commensal colonization, and during experimental infection and injury.
Our goal is to understand how these immune cells promote barrier tissue integrity and repair, and to understand how this goes awry during disease.
Oliver Harrison, DPhil
Lab Members
Sheenam Verma, PhD
Research Projects
Commensal-Specific T cells
Poised homeostatic immunity
Commensal-specific B cells
Featured Publications
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Jul 2020
Poised for tissue repair.
Harrison OJ -
Jan 2019
Commensal-specific T cell plasticity promotes rapid tissue adaptation to injury.
Harrison OJ, Linehan JL, Shih HY, Bouladoux N, Han SJ, Smelkinson M, Sen SK, Byrd AL, Enamorado M, Yao C, Tamoutounour S, Van Laethem F, Hurabielle C, Collins N, Paun A, Salcedo R, O'Shea JJ, Belkaid Y -
Feb 2018
c-MAF-dependent regulatory T cells mediate immunological tolerance to a gut pathobiont.
Xu M, Pokrovskii M, Ding Y, Yi R, Au C, Harrison OJ, Galan C, Belkaid Y, Bonneau R, Littman DR -
Jan 2018
Non-classical Immunity Controls Microbiota Impact on Skin Immunity and Tissue Repair.
Linehan JL, Harrison OJ, Han SJ, Byrd AL, Vujkovic-Cvijin I, Villarino AV, Sen SK, Shaik J, Smelkinson M, Tamoutounour S, Collins N, Bouladoux N, Dzutsev A, Rosshart SP, Arbuckle JH, Wang CR, Kristie TM, Rehermann B, Trinchieri G, Brenchley JM, O'Shea JJ, Belkaid Y -
Apr 2017
Homeostatic Immunity and the Microbiota.
Belkaid Y, Harrison OJ
Using AI and VR to Advance Research
Caroline Stefani, PhD, became fascinated with the immune system while pursuing her doctorate in microbiology. She loved using imaging tools to examine the worlds of cells and bacteria. But one thing frustrated her.
Inside BRI’s Gut Immunity Program
To most people, the gut is just a part of your body that helps digest food.
Exploring the Great Unknown of the Skin Microbiome
Most people have about 21 square feet of skin — and inside your skin is an entire world called the microbiome. This world includes many different types of bacteria, viruses and fungi.
Field Notes: More than skin deep
New Researcher Dr. Oliver Harrison at the Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason Receives $2.9 Million NIH R01 Grant to Study How the Immune System Responds to the Microbiome
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