UWMUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison · Microbiology & Immunology
Parasite Immunology and Microphysiology Unit
Laura J Knoll · Madison, Wisconsin
Research Focus
The lab led by Dr. Laura J. Knoll at the University of Wisconsin-Madison focuses on understanding how the immune system responds to infections from protozoan parasites in the human gut. By developing advanced 3D microphysiological models that mimic the human intestinal structure, the lab aims to study the interactions between parasites and immune cells, which is crucial for designing effective vaccines against these infections. The research takes into account the complex environment of the gut, including conditions that affect immune responses.
microphysiological systemsimmune responsesprotozoan parasitesintestinal infectionToxoplasma gondiiEntamoeba histolytica
Research Aims
5AIM 01Develop a microphysiological system to model human immune responses to intestinal parasites
AIM 02Study the interactions between human immune cells and protozoan parasites
AIM 03Investigate the immune responses under hypoxic conditions
AIM 04Model the invasive disease of Entamoeba histolytica
AIM 05Provide foundational insights for vaccine development against gut parasites.
Skills the Lab Values
3D cell culturemicrofluidicsco-culture techniquesimmunological assayscellular imagingPCRflow cytometryanaerobic culture techniquespathogen handling
Output against the department
Publications136top 47% of dept.228th of 486
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations3.8kbottom 28% of dept.348th of 486
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.