Welcome to the Walter Lab!
A major focus of the lab is elucidating crystal structures of cytokines bound to their cell surface receptors. These studies provide the framework for detailed biochemical and cellular characterization of how cytokines assemble a “signaling competent” complex leading to cellular activation. The goal of these studies is to extend our understanding of basic signaling mechanisms. These findings are then applied to complex problems in human disease. We are currently using what we have learned to understand interferon signaling in lupus, and designing novel vaccine strategies to prevent human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection, which is responsible for serious birth defects in children whose mothers are infected while pregnant.
Mark Walter, Ph.D., initiated research in cytokine structure and function while completing completed postdoctoral studies with Dr. Charles Bugg a pioneer in the area of structure-based drug design. Currently his research focuses on understanding interferon signaling in lupus, and designing novel vaccine strategies to prevent human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection, which is responsible for serious birth defects in children whose mothers are infected while pregnant.