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Title

Graduate Coordinator/Professor

Office Building

Edgar S. McFadden Biostress Lab

Office

252B

Mailing Address

McFadden Biostress Laboratory 252B
Biology & Microbiology-Box 2140D
University Station
Brookings, SD 57007

CV

Areas of Research

Long Term Goals

To study the biology and role of innate immune and non-immune cells and microbiome in intestinal and respiratory immunity. Developing in-vitro cellular models for studying the pathogenesis and innate immunity to various enteric and respiratory pathogens.

Kaushik’s Research

Both gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts are major sites of entry for various pathogens. Enteric and respiratory infectious diseases cause significant morbidity and mortality in à£à£Ö±²¥Ðãs and humans. Various types of non-immune and immune cells are involved in mediating innate immune responses at mucosal surfaces and in providing protection to infectious threats. These cells are equipped with many innate defense weapons and soluble immune effector molecules. Many soluble molecules such as cytokines and chemokines produced by these cells upon pathogen recognition mediate effective innate immune responses and direct the development of adaptive immunity. Mucosal microbiota also play an important role in providing protection to mucosal pathogens. Many beneficial microbes called ‘probiotics’ are used to improve gut and respiratory health. However, the roles of innate immunity and mucosal microbiome in pathogenesis and mucosal innate immunity to enteric and respiratory pathogens in domestic à£à£Ö±²¥Ðãs are not clearly defined and are under-studied.