Russell Vance

Russell Vance is a Professor of Immunology and Molecular Medicine at the University of California, Berkeley, in the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology. His research focuses on host-pathogen interactions, particularly how mammals defend against microbial pathogens. His lab investigates the molecular mechanisms of innate immune responses, including inflammasomes, and their role in detecting and eliminating pathogens such as Legionella pneumophila, Shigella flexneri, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Vance's work also explores the evolutionary origins of innate immunity and the role of proteins like STING in immune sensing. His research has led to the development of novel models for studying infectious diseases and has implications for vaccine and therapeutic design.

Russell E. Vance is a Professor of Immunology at UC Berkeley and an HHMI investigator. His research focuses on innate immunity and host-pathogen interactions, particularly the mechanisms by which cells recognize microbial threats and mount immune responses. His work explores the role of innate immune sensors such as STING, cGAS, and NAIPs in detecting bacterial and viral ligands, as well as their involvement in inflammasome activation and cytokine production. Vance's studies also examine how innate immune systems distinguish between self and non-self, including the regulation of natural killer cell activity and self-tolerance. His research has significant implications for understanding infectious diseases and immune-mediated disorders.