Mark Shlomchik, MD, PhD
Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Immunobiology

Mentees:
Abraham Tzou, MD

Dr. Shlomchik studies the role of B cells, immune system cells produced in bone marrow, in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and other autoimmune diseases. The long-term interests of his lab include the regulation of autoreactive B lymphocytes and the development of high affinity B cell immune responses and memory cells. Using transgenic mice, he is investigating how B Cells that express the autoantibody known as Rheumatoid Factor are prevented from causing harm in normal mice. He has also focused on how activated autoreactive B cells contribute to pathogenesis in systemic autoimmunity and is investigating the development of high affinity B cell immune responses and memory. Over the past several years he has developed an interest in the immunopathology surrounding stem cell transplantation. In 2006, the S.L.E. Lupus Foundation, the nation’s leading organization providing patient services, education and funding for lupus research, named Shlomchik its scientific honoree of the year.