Nick Franks

Research/Areas of Interest

My thesis is an interdisciplinary investigation of immune dysregulation caused by Porphyromonas gingivalis. Oral infection by this organism induces a local chronic state of inflammation while avoiding clearance by the immune system. This pathobiont expresses diverse and atypical lipid A structures; my work aims at elucidating how these different lipid A structures influence dendritic cell functional responses and downstream activation of CD4 T cells. I have used mass spectrometry to characterize these atypical lipid A structures, and flow cytometry to investigate dendritic cell responses. I have experience in microbiology, immunology and self-taught analytical chemistry techniques.