University of Pennsylvania · Microbiology & ImmunologyShin Inflammasome Lab
Sunny Shin · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Research Focus
Dr. Sunny Shin's lab at the University of Pennsylvania studies the immune system's responses to bacterial infections, particularly those caused by gram-negative bacteria. The lab focuses on how specific immune responses, called inflammasomes, are triggered by a component of bacteria known as lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Understanding these responses can lead to new treatments for severe infections and sepsis, a serious condition that can result from overwhelming immune reactions.
inflammasomessepsislipopolysaccharide (LPS)bacterial infectionsimmune response
Research Aims
5AIM 01Define the molecular mechanisms of inflammasome responses to LPS in mice and humans.
AIM 02Investigation of how CASP11 and CASP4/5 respond differently to bacterial components.
AIM 03Explore the role of inflammasomes in host defense against gram-negative bacteria.
AIM 04Identify potential therapeutic targets for treating sepsis.
AIM 05Analyze how variations in LPS structure affect immune signaling.
Skills the Lab Values
cell culturein vitro modelsin vivo modelsmicroscopyprotein assays
Output against the department
Publications112bottom 41% of dept.281st of 486
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations4.3kbottom 33% of dept.326th 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.