Conroy Laboratory: Michelle Conroy, MD
Explore This Lab
Overview
Antibodies play a crucial role in coupling potential immunologic triggers with a downstream immune response. Antibodies are structured to reflect this function with both an antigen recognition portion of the protein (Fab) and a receptor binding/functional portion as well (Fc). However, beyond the basic structural aspects of antibodies, more nuanced components truly drive and diversify their effects. Glycosylation of antibodies has been shown to be a key feature in determining the function of antibodies. Glycans on the Fc portion of antibodies play a critical role in determining downstream responses in part by “selecting” receptor binding targets. The Conroy lab seeks to decipher how antibodies and variations in glycans dictate downstream immune responses. In turn, the lab works to translates these findings to immunologic diseases including food allergy, eczema/itch, and drug allergy. We are actively engaged in studying interactions between antibodies and the neurologic system, particularly as it relates to itch and anaphylaxis. This neuro-immune interface is largely undefined and likely has significant relevance to multiple diseases. Our approach to this work utilizes techniques including antibody glycoengineering coupled with murine models and well-defined patient samples to enhance clinical relevance. We have strong collaborations with experts in epidemiology, dermatology and neuro-immunology. Our goal is to gain insight into the role of antibodies in human disease and leverage this understanding into novel approaches to disease diagnostics and therapeutics.
Research Projects and Interests
- Regulation of IgE and atopic itch
- Optimizing the diagnostic approach to cephalosporin allergy testing (DACAT)
- Antibiotic allergy: phenotypes, endotypes and mechanisms
Meet the Team
Michelle Conroy, MD
Principal Investigator, Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases
Massachusetts General Hospital
Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School
Group Members
Aron Gyorgypal, PhD
Postdoctoral fellow
Lab manager:
Alex Trachtenberg
Research technicians:
Tessa Allan
Matthew DePonte