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Howard Grey, M.D., and his team are studying the molecular and cellular mechanisms of antigen recognition by T cells.
Initially, Dr. Grey's research involved defining antigens and observing how T cells respond differently to different kinds of antigens. He had previously discovered that phenomena called T cell receptor antagonism. This involves the recognition of a compound, in a way that inhibits further immune responses.
In attempting to understand how this inhibition works, Dr. Grey and his team have observed that the T cell receptor is extremely sensitive in its ability to sense different antigens. In this way the TCR can be considered like a rheostat. It responds to weak signals and strong signals in a very different manner.
Biography
“At the time I entered this field, there was a lot to be learned
about the basics of how the immune system worked. Now a lot of the
large questions have been answered. The most important challenge today
is how to best use that knowledge to benefit mankind.” – Howard Grey, M.D.
Dr. Grey served as President and Scientific Director of LIAI from 1996
until his retirement from the position in 2003. He also served as Head
of LIAI's Immunochemistry Division from 1995 until 2003. Dr. Grey's
research focus is on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of antigen
recognition by T cells.
Dr. Grey received his B.A. in chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania, and his M.D. from New York University. Following six years of postdoctoral training, Dr. Grey was appointed Assistant Professor at The Rockefeller University. In 1965 he joined Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation as an Associate member, remaining there until 1970, at which time he was appointed to the faculty of the National Jewish Center for Immunology and Respiratory Medicine in Denver, where he served as Head of the Basic Immunology Division from 1978 to 1988.
Dr. Grey left Colorado to co-found Cytel, a San Diego biotechnology company, and was the company's Vice President for Research and Development until 1994. Currently, he holds an appointment as Adjunct Professor in the Department of Immunology at The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla. Dr. Grey has been a member of the National Academy of Sciences since 1999, and he has published more than 250 peer-reviewed articles and reviews in scientific journals.