Jessica Tung

Program: Molecular Microbiology and Microbial Pathogenesis

Current advisor: Drew Schwartz, MD, PhD

Undergraduate university: University of Texas-Arlington, 2019

Enrollment year: 2021

Research summary
Investigating the determinants and consequences of sIgA binding to gut bacteria in neonates

In infants, secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) is the key mediator between the evolving gut microbiome and mucosal immunity. Maternal sIgA, abundant in breast milk, regulates the gut microbiome and colonic immune development until infants begin endogenously secreting sIgA onto the gut mucosa around one month of age. The effects of sIgA binding to microbes are variable and include inhibiting or enhancing mucosal bacterial colonization, targeting bacteria for immune- or excretion-mediated clearance, and regulating mucosal immune responses. My project aims to define the consequences and impacts of sIgA binding to gut microbes on early-life immune development.

Graduate publications