Despite recognition of the severity and high mortality of neonatal respiratory viral infections, which have been attributed to the immunological immaturity of the newborn, the specific mechanisms for this increased susceptibility remain unclear.

The Carey Lab seeks to identify mechanisms and potential modifiable risk factors for infants' susceptibility to infections using animal models, in vitro work and ex vivo studies on human cord blood. We have established a clinically relevant model of neonatal influenza virus infection in 3-day-old neonatal mice in order to focus on both the adaptive and innate immune response to viral infection. Specifically, we study the evolution of the development of the cytotoxic CD8+ T cell repertoire, which play an important role in eliminating virally infected cells.

Additionally, we investigate the innate immune system and its ability to prime the adaptive immune system during infections. We also study the use of probiotics in boosting the innate immune response to viral infections.

The lab's long-term goals are to develop therapeutic interventions for this extremely vulnerable and currently understudied population.

Carey Lab Members

Carey Lab News

A June 17 Philadelphia Inquirer article featuring Alison J. Carey, MD, an associate professor in the College of Medicine, about how a common complication of viral infections such as the flu or the coronavirus is a secondary, superimposed bacterial infection — or a superinfection, was also published June 19 by the New York Daily News, Chicago Tribune, The Seattle Times, The Baltimore Sun, Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise, The Morning Call, South Florida Sun Sentinel, and other newspapers nationwide.
Link to story (New York Daily News)
Link to story (Chicago Tribune)
Link to story (Baltimore Sun)

Alison Carey was awarded a biomedical research grant by the Hartwell Foundation for her project “Targeted Blockade of Toll-like Receptors in Respiratory Viral Infection.” The goal of the project is to determine if use of specific TLR blockade protects neonatal mice during influenza virus infection. The project hopes to determine differences in the TLR profile from pre-term and term peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) infected with influenza virus. Dr. Carey is the principle investigator for this project funded through April 2022.

Ogan Kumova was one of five platform presenters to be highlighted in a news article about the College of Medicine's annual day of research, Discovery Day. Read the article.

Alison Carey was quoted in a January 3, 2019, Health story about how long cold and flu germs can live on surfaces like doorknobs and subway poles.

Alison Carey was awarded the early career clinical scientist faculty award. This award is presented to an early or mid-career level faculty member who has already made a significant contribution to the field of biomedical, educational and/or health care research, as evidenced by extramural funding, scholarly productivity and research leadership.

 
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