The Carey Lab
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
Amanda Danishanko
Graduate Student
Abigail Onufer
Graduate Student
Former Lab Members
Ogan Kumova
Abhishek Rao
Carey Lab News
Abby has been invited to present her work on Interferon toxicity in the developing lung at the 820th EPA-ASM Branch Meeting on Monday, May 19th, 2025 because she won first place Graduate Student Poster at the Infection and Immunity Forum in December 2024.
On November 7th, Abby presented a platform talk at the Drexel Discovery Day research conference: Influenza virus-induced type I interferons disrupt alveolar epithelial repair and tight junction integrity in the developing lung. She received an honorable mention for the Barry Waterhouse Outstanding Platform Presentation. We recently published her work in Mucosal Immunology: IFNs disrupt alveolar epithelial repair.
Abhishek Rao defended his thesis: Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and Cathelicidin- related anti-microbial peptide (CRAMP) as Critical Regulators of Immune Responses in Neonatal IAV Infection, on October 3, 2024. He is now completing a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania. We recently published his work in the Journal of Immunology: Cathelicidin-related antimicrobial peptide (CRAMP) is toxic to neonates during flu infection.
Abhishek and Abby had an opportunity to present their work at the American Association of Immunologists annual meeting in Chicago in May 2024. Abhishek had a platform presentation on the role of toll-like receptors driving inflammation during infant flu infection.
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 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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The Carey Lab
Drexel University College of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Immunology
245 North 15th Street Room 18119, Philadelphia, PA 19119
For more information, please contact
Alison Carey, MD, Principal Investigator
215.762.2149 | ajc327@drexel.edu
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