Gregory Beck, PhD

University Of Massachusetts - Boston

Academic Titles

Associate Professor, College of Science and Math, University Of Massachusetts - Boston

Research Program Affiliation

Associate Member, Cancer Immunology

Research Abstract

A major goal of my laboratory is to characterize the cells and protein products involved in an invertebrate inflammatory response. The position in phylogeny of echinoderms makes them an important invertebrate group for comparative studies, including those addressing the evolution of the immune system. Although echinoderms efficiently clear bacteria from the coelomic cavity and mount an innate type immune response to pathogens and their products, little is understood of molecular mechanisms and genes that are used by these cells in response to an inflammatory challenge. My long-term goals are to unravel the defense reactions employed by invertebrates.