Prof. Idit Shachar

Adaptive immunity depends on generation and maintenance of a pool of mature peripheral lymphocytes throughout life. Lymphoid homeostasis results from delicately balanced lymphocyte production, differentiation, sequestration, proliferation, and survival. Disturbing this balance can lead to autoimmune malfunctions such as autoimmune diseases and cancer evasion of the immune system. 

Our studies focus on four main aspects of the regulation of immune cell maintenance: 

1. Regulation of stem cell maintenance 

2. Molecular pathways controlling immune cell survival in homeostasis and malignancies 

3. Cross-talk of immune cell with their microenvironment 

4. Control of regulatory B cells differentiation and function in autoimmune diseases and cancer 

5. Regulation of anti-tumor immunity in hematological and solid tumors. 

Finding of our studies can pave the way towards development of novel therapies for various malignancies and autoimmune diseases.