Source: Interfolio F180
Michael G. Constantinides
Research Focus
Every surface of the body harbors distinct communities of commensal microbes, known as microbiota, that promote the immune system and other bodily functions. In turn, the immune system modulates the composition of these microorganisms and segregates them by sustaining barrier tissue function. This dialog between the microbiota and the host is of particular importance for specialized immune cells termed innate-like T cells, which predominantly localize in barrier tissues and have been increasingly recognized for their diverse roles in physiology.
The Constantinides Lab studies how microbes influence the development and function of innate-like T cells and the mechanism by which these immune cells reciprocally regulate the microbiota. We are developing targeted approaches to modulate these interactions and generating innovative therapies for the treatment of infectious diseases, autoimmunity, and cancer.
Education
Ph.D. (Immunology), University of Chicago, 2014B.A. (Chemistry), Princeton University, 2007
Professional Experience
2020-Present Assistant Professor, Scripps Research2014-2020 Fellowship, National Institutes of Health
Awards & Professional Activities
2002 Fifth place nationally, Siemens Westinghouse Competition2003 Semifinalist, Intel Science Talent Search
2014 Outstanding Thesis Award, University of Chicago
2015 Irvington Postdoctoral Fellowship, Cancer Research Institute
2016 Lefrançois-BioLegend Memorial Award, American Association of Immunologists (AAI)
2017 AAI-Thermo Fisher Trainee Achievement Award
2017 Fellows Award for Research Excellence, NIH
2020 William Paul Award for Best Paper in Cytokine Research, NIH
2021 Faculty Scholar Program, Donald E. & Delia B. Baxter Foundation
Selected Publications
LeBlanc, G.; Kreissl, F. K.; Melamed, J.; Sobel, A. L.; Constantinides, M. G. The role of unconventional T cells in maintaining tissue homeostasis. Seminars in Immunology 2022, 61-64, 101656.
Melamed, J.; LeBlanc, G.; Constantinides, M. G. Gut microbiota gestalt. Cell Host & Microbe 2022, 30, 899-901.
Constantinides, M. G.; Belkaid, Y. Early-life imprinting of unconventional T cells and tissue homeostasis. Science 2021, 374, eabf0095.
Constantinides, M. G.; Link, V. M.; Tamoutounour, S.; Wong, A. C.; Perez-Chaparro, P. J.; Han, S.; Chen, Y. E.; Li, K.; Farhat, S.; Weckel, A.; Krishnamurthy, S. R.; Vujkovic-Cvijin, I.; Linehan, J. L.; Bouladoux, N.; Merrill, E. D.; Roy, S.; Cua, D. J.; Adams, E. J.; Bhandoola, A.; Scharschmidt, T. C.; Aubé, J.; Fischbach, M. A.; Belkaid, Y. MAIT cells are imprinted by the microbiota in early life and promote tissue repair. Science 2019, 366, eaax6624.
Constantinides, M. G.; McDonald, B. D.; Verhoef, P. A.; Bendelac, A. A committed precursor to innate lymphoid cells. Nature 2014, 508, 397-401.