Ashley Moseman

Overview

Our lab seeks to understand central nervous system (CNS) immunity, with a specific focus on antimicrobial protection at the olfactory barrier. Barrier immunity, particularly at mucosal surfaces, has received a great deal of interest within the immunological community. Unlike classical barrier surfaces in the gut, lower respiratory tract, and skin, the olfactory neuroepithelial barrier is unique in its dedication to neuronal function. Olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) must contact the external environment to perform their chemosensory functions, but this provides a direct link between the outside world and the CNS. For these reasons, our lab seeks to define the mechanisms by which immunological surveillance and the immune response within the olfactory epithelium is tailored to support both barrier and neurosensory functions while warding off neurotropic pathogens.

We are also strong believers that visualizing cellular behavior in vivo can guide mechanistic discovery. To this end, we employ multiphoton intravital imaging to analyze in vivo CNS immune responses and determine how these responses are tailored to the CNS environment. Within the CNS, intravital imaging has allowed us to observe dynamic in vivo antigen engagement by T cell subsets during viral infection as well as innate immune responses to Naegleria fowleri infection.

Lab Website

Positions

Assistant Professor of Integrative Immunobiology in the School of Medicine

2018 School of Medicine

Assistant Professor of Cell Biology in the School of Medicine

2022 School of Medicine

Faculty Network Member of the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences in the Institutes and Provost's Academic Units

2020 Institutes and Provost's Academic Units

Member of the Duke Cancer Institute in the School of Medicine

2018 School of Medicine

Education

Ph.D. 2011

2011 Harvard University

Publications, Grants & Awards

Grants (12)
Academics Articles (33)

Offices & Contact

101 Jones Bldg, 207 Research, 3010 DUMC
Durham, NC
27710