I
am a physician with specialty training in pediatrics and allergy and
immunology. My interest in laboratory research began in 1965 when I was a
graduate student at the University of Texas at Austin. I became
fascinated with the nascent field of molecular biology and recognized
its potential to provide a whole new level of understanding of medical
problems. This opportunity was the impetus for me to participate in
research throughout my medical and academic training and career. My
scope of scientific interest has included several aspects of allergy and
immunology, with a major focus on immune protection and inflammation of
mucosal tissues. The realization that immune function at these
anatomical sites is heavily influenced by environmental exposures has
driven my current interest in the molecular mechanisms of allergic
sensitization and diseases. This proposal to continue our productive
work in the area of novel vaccines for allergic diseases derives from
our recent studies, some of which are just in the process of
publication, which indicate that the allergic response to aeroallergens
from cedar pollen is highly targeted against a few conformational
epitopes on a single dominant protein. Preliminary studies in
collaboration with Dr. Midoro-Horiuti strongly indicate the rationale
and feasibility of probing this novel paradigm in animal models as well
as human natural history studies of the allergic process.
I have the expertise,
motivation and time commitment necessary to successfully continue my
role as PI of the proposed project. My clinical background and current
activities in pediatric allergic diseases, as well as, over 30 years of
experience in clinically-relevant research make me uniquely qualified to
effectively manage the clinical studies and direct the laboratory
component of this project. In all of these activities I will be ably
supported by colleagues in structural biology, lab immunology and
clinical trials.
Search PubMed for Dr. Goldblum's publications