Facundo Batista

Facundo Batista

Phillip and Susan Ragon Professor of Immunology
Facundo Batista

B cells are important immune cells. They produce antibodies against foreign molecules on pathogens, and in this way they protect us against disease.

In our laboratory, we are interested in both the cellular and the molecular events that lead to the activation of B cells. We want to understand how these events affect the ability of B cells to produce antibodies. To do this, we work both in vivo and in vitro by combining state-of-the-art imaging technology with biochemistry and genetic models. For example: by following B cells in vivo we can better understand where and when they are activated (Carrasco & Batista 2007; Gaya et al. 2015). By tracking single B cell receptor (BCR) molecules we have shown how the cortical cytoskeleton network regulates receptor signaling (Mattila et al. 2013; Treanor et al. 2011; Treanor et al. 2010). Similarly, by studying actin regulators such as Cdc42 or Nck we have shown that they play a major role in B cell activation and antibody production (Burbage et al. 2014; Castello et al. 2013). Finally, we have used our expertise in genetic models to accelerate the generation of humanized mice (Lin et al. 2018; Wang et al. 2021) to preclinically evaluate vaccine candidates for recalcitrant diseases, including HIV and malaria (Steichen et al., Science 2019; Kratochvil et al., 2021).

We have therefore been, and continue to work towards, a clearer understanding of B cell activation and antibody production at a cellular and molecular level, while simultaneously contributing directly to vaccine development. This knowledge will aid us in the fight against infectious diseases and cancer.

Contact Information

Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard
Room 876
400 Technology Square
Cambridge , MA 02139
p: 857-268-7284

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