Source: Interfolio F180
Michael G. Constantinides, PhD
Research Focus
Every surface of the body harbors distinct communities of commensal microbes, known as microbiota, that promote the immune system and other bodily functions. In turn, the immune system modulates the composition of these microorganisms and segregates them by sustaining barrier tissue function. This dialog between the microbiota and the host is of particular importance for specialized immune cells termed innate-like T cells, which predominantly localize in barrier tissues and have been increasingly recognized for their diverse roles in physiology.
The Constantinides Lab studies how microbes influence the development and function of innate-like T cells and the mechanism by which these immune cells reciprocally regulate the microbiota. We are developing targeted approaches to modulate these interactions and generating innovative therapies for the treatment of infectious diseases, autoimmunity, and cancer.
Education
Ph.D. (Immunology), University of Chicago, 2014B.A. (Chemistry), Princeton University, 2007
Professional Experience
2020-Present: Assistant Professor, Scripps Research2014-2020: Fellowship, National Institutes of Health
Awards & Professional Activities
AAI Pfizer-Showell Award, 2024NIGMS Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award (R35), 2023
Donald E. & Delia B. Baxter Foundation Faculty Scholar, 2021
NIAID Career Transition Award (K22), 2021
AAI-Thermo Fisher Trainee Achievement Award, 2017
NIH Fellows Award for Research Excellence, 2017
AAI Lefrançois-BioLegend Memorial Award, 2016
CRI Irvington Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2015
Selected Publications
LeBlanc, Gabrielle; Kreissl, Felix K.; Melamed, Jonathan; Sobel, Adam L.; Constantinides, Michael G. The role of unconventional T cells in maintaining tissue homeostasis. Seminars in Immunology 2022, 61-64, 101656.
Melamed, Jonathan; LeBlanc, Gabrielle; Constantinides, Michael G. Gut microbiota gestalt. Cell Host & Microbe 2022, 30, 899-901.
Constantinides, Michael G.; Belkaid, Yasmine Early-life imprinting of unconventional T cells and tissue homeostasis. Science 2021, 374, eabf0095.
Constantinides, Michael G.; Link, Verena M.; Tamoutounour, Samira; Wong, Andrea C.; Perez-Chaparro, P J.; Han, Seong-Ji; Chen, Y E.; Li, Kelin; Farhat, Sepideh; Weckel, Antonin; Krishnamurthy, Siddharth R.; Vujkovic-Cvijin, Ivan; Linehan, Jonathan L.; Bouladoux, Nicolas; Merrill, E D.; Roy, Sobhan; Cua, Daniel J.; Adams, Erin J.; Bhandoola, Avinash; Scharschmidt, Tiffany C.; Aubé, Jeffrey; Fischbach, Michael A.; Belkaid, Yasmine MAIT cells are imprinted by the microbiota in early life and promote tissue repair. Science 2019, 366, eaax6624.
Constantinides, Michael G.; McDonald, Benjamin D.; Verhoef, Philip A.; Bendelac, Albert A committed precursor to innate lymphoid cells. Nature 2014, 508, 397-401.