Teha Kim, Ph.D.

In my Ph.D., I researched the potential of CpG-DNA in combatting Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections. I demonstrated that CpG-DNA administration in the mouse peritoneal cavity enhances resistance to MRSA by inducing protective antibodies via an antibody-dependent phagocytosis mechanism.

In my subsequent role as a Postdoctoral Associate, I focused on developing universal therapeutic antibodies against the influenza A virus (IAV) matrix protein 2 ion channel (M2e). I developed a low-dose cocktail of three novel M2e-specific monoclonal antibodies, demonstrating their broad protective effects without promoting viral escape mutants in mice.

In my current role as an Associate Research Scientist at JAX, my main objective is to advance the development of an inhalable triple M2e-MAb cocktail for IAV infections, as there is currently no such treatment available. I'm also investigating the role of mucosal IgG and IgA in protecting against influenza in ferrets and exploring the mechanisms of mast cell-derived IL-10/PD-L1 and IL-10/PD-1/PD-L1-mediated immune regulation during IAV infections, with a focus on their impact on viral clearance and lung tissue damage.