How does the innate immune system fight off infections using ‘non-professional’ immune cells? In the Troemel lab, we address this question by studying the dynamic between the nematode C. elegans and two of its naturally occurring intestinal pathogens— the fungal, spore-forming microsporidium Nematocida parisii, and the positive-sense, single-stranded RNA Orsay virus. See the research tab for more information.
The Troemel Lab was established in La Jolla at the University of California San Diego in the fall of 2008. Click on the publications tab to learn more about our latest pursuits!
Small GTPase RAB-11 (green) surrounds N. parisii spores about to exit non-lytically from the apical side of C. elegans intestinal cells (red). Szumowski et al, PNAS 2014.
Congratulations to PhD student Lakshmi Batachari on her publication characterizing the RIG-I-like receptor DRH-1, and how it uses an N-terminal domain that appears to be a 2CARD to activate the Intracellular Pathogen Response.
DRH-1 also forms discrete puncta in intestinal cells upon infection, which colocalizes with staining for double-stranded RNA.
Click the publication title to find out more!
Congratulations to Postdoc Vladimir Lažetić on his latest publication, which identifies ZIP-1 as a key transcription factor in the intracellular pathogen response (IPR) that promotes resistance to RNA virus and other intracellular pathogen infections in C. elegans.
We shared a pizza picnic lunch to celebrate Emily’s selection as a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and support for Tyler Bechtel from the Packard Fellows, administered by the Science…
We had fun exploring our creative side in a holiday event with cookies, frosting and toppings. It was a sprinkle of joy to end 2025!
The La Jolla Immunology Conference had many representatives from the Troemel Lab this year – Emily gave a talk, and James Tirtorahardjo, Tyler Bechtel, and Lakshmi Batachari presented posters. Excitingly, Lakshmi won an award for…
Eillen Tecle, PhD
On June 17, 2020, our own Emily Troemel and WashU Med’s David Wang gave a talk discussing the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Topics for the talk include the emergence and basic biology of SARS-CoV-2, its potential host-pathogen interactions, the current state of the field in SARS-CoV-2 molecular biology research, and the relevant diagnostic tests and possibilities for treatment.
While it is true that the ongoing pandemic has necessitated a transition to work from home in order to minimize the spread of SARS-CoV-2, we are taking advantage of virtual communications to strengthen the ties to
our collaborators. We are currently hosting joint weekly lab meetings across states and continents, uniting scientific minds in one zoom room to facilitate the flow of ideas!
Paris, France
St. Louis, Missouri
San Diego, California
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