Michael Lynes Email and Phone Number

The Lynes research group is involved in projects related to molecular and cellular regulation of the immune response. The Lynes lab has found that mammalian metallothionein (MT) has potent immunomodulatory activities that operate in a variety of stressful environments, such as autoimmunity, infection, inflammation, and neoplasia. Our current studies are focused on the characterization of the molecular interactions of MT with the cell, and the signal transduction cascades that are influenced by these interactions. We have shown that a monoclonal antibody made in our lab has therapeutic benefit for a mouse model of inflammatory bowel disease/Crohn's disease with colleagues at the University of Gent. We’ve extended those observations with other collaborators and have recently published work showing that the antibody can also work in mouse models of type 1 diabetes. We’re currently working toward clinical trials of humanized anti-MT antibodies in collaboration with Biohaven Pharmaceuticals.As a spinoff of that work, we have begun to explore the role of bacterial metallothionein in the pathogenesis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P.a.) infection. P.a. is one of the most common hospital-acquired infections, and is known for its multi-drug resistance profile. Our work has led us to novel diagnostic and therapeutic interventions in this infection that we continue to explore.Another line of research in the Lynes laboratory is concerned with the development of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) microarrays to characterize biomarker signatures of disease. In collaboration with the staff at Ciencia, Inc., we have developed ways to take advantage of two different optical configurations (Grating-Coupled Surface Plasmon Resonance Imaging and Grating-Coupled Surface Plasmon Coupled Emission) for dual mode multiplexed measurements of analytes from a microvolume sample. At present, we can do up to 1,000 independent and simultaneous assays measuring cells, bacteria, viruses and macromolecules. Recently, we’ve been funded by NICHD to develop a biomarker signature of MIS-C (multi system inflammatory syndrome in children); an adverse outcome of covid-19 infection in children. This last project is a multi-institution award with a number of other collaborators.Specialties: immune regulation and immune characterization, pathogen biosensing, biomarker detection, biotechnology, flow cytometry