THE YOUNT LABORATORY OF INNATE ANTIVIRAL IMMUNOLOGY

The Yount laboratory aims to understand the innate immune response to respiratory and cardiac virus infections, with a focus on influenza virus, human metapneumovirus, Coxsackievirus, and SARS-CoV-2 infections. We are particularly interested in identifying and characterizing posttranslational modifications that govern the activity of immune system proteins. These enzymatic modifications may represent targets for mimicking or manipulating immune pathways for the benefit of human health. We have made significant progress in understanding the regulation and mechanism of action of the interferon-induced transmembrane protein 3 (IFITM3), a critical protein for limiting the severity of influenza virus infections in humans. We continue to investigate new aspects of IFITM3 biology as well as other essential immune effector proteins and their posttranslational regulation.