Introduction
      
    
      The goal of our research is to better understand mechanisms of sensing and repair during diseases like cancer, infections, and neurodegenerative disorders.
During infection, cancer, or physiological changes, the membranes of our cells can be damaged. Cells evolved to respond to those changes using a range of specialized adaptive immune responses. By understanding those mechanisms, we can modify cells to boost the immune system and restore a targeted and efficient response.

Our lab uses high-throughput screening methods and cutting-edge technologies like VR and AI to study cell response mechanisms. We observe cellular changes using high-capacity microscopes and analyze those changes through machine learning.

  
		
		Research Assistant Member
      Caroline Stefani, PhD
																		Principal Investigator, Stefani Lab; Center for Systems Immunology; Imaging Core Manager, Cell & Tissue Analysis Core
							
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            Featured Publications
      
                        May 2024
      Integrin αvβ3 Limits Cytokine Production by Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells and Restricts TLR-Driven Autoimmunity.
 
            J Immunol
      
      
Lorant AK, Yoshida AE, Gilbertson EA, Chu T, Stefani C, Acharya M, Hamerman JA,  Lacy-Hulbert A
    Apr 2024
      Extracellular DNA traps in a ctenophore demonstrate immune cell behaviors in a non-bilaterian.
 
            Nat Commun
      
      
Vandepas LE, Stefani C, Domeier PP, Traylor-Knowles N, Goetz FW, Browne WE,  Lacy-Hulbert A
    Mar 2024
      Caveolin-1 protects endothelial cells from extensive expansion of transcellular tunnel by stiffening the plasma membrane.
 
            Elife
      
      
Morel C, Lemerle E, Tsai FC, Obadia T, Srivastava N, Marechal M, Salles A, Albert M, Stefani C, Benito Y, Vandenesch F, Lamaze C, Vassilopoulos S, Piel M, Bassereau P, Gonzalez-Rodriguez D, Leduc C,  Lemichez E
    Jan 2024
      LITAF protects against pore-forming protein-induced cell death by promoting membrane repair.
 
            Sci Immunol
      
      
Stefani C, Bruchez AM, Rosasco MG, Yoshida AE, Fasano KJ, Levan PF, Lorant A, Hubbard NW, Oberst A, Stuart LM,  Lacy-Hulbert A
    Sep 2023
      MicroMagnify: A Multiplexed Expansion Microscopy Method for Pathogens and Infected Tissues.
 
            Adv Sci (Weinh)
      
      
Cheng Z, Stefani C, Skillman T, Klimas A, Lee A, DiBernardo EF, Brown KM, Milman T, Wang Y, Gallagher BR, Lagree K, Jena BP, Pulido JS, Filler SG, Mitchell AP, Hiller NL, Lacy-Hulbert A,  Zhao Y