Jacques Andre Robert, Ph.D.

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EVOLUTION OF IMMUNE SURVEILLANCE,

TUMOR AND VIRAL IMMUNITY

The overall goal of our research is to understand the co-evolutionary relationships between the structure of selected molecules (e.g., heat shock proteins [hsps], hsp-receptors [CD91], NK cell receptors [KIR, FcRs], non-classical class Ib molecules [XNCs]) and their functions in innate and adaptive immunity against tumors and viruses using the frog Xenopus laevis as animal model.

One specific research area addresses the postulated dual role of the hsps gp96 and hsp70 in immunity. The comparative tumor-immunity model developed in Xenopus provides an alternative to mice in order to explore the ability of hsps to generate responses against tumors that have down-regulated their MHC class Ia molecules thereby escaping immune surveillance. To better reveal the respective role of classical and non-classical MHC class I genes in immune surveillance and T cell development, we are developing transgenesis strategies to modulate their expression in vivo by RNAi knockdown and induced transgene expression.

A second area concerns phylogenetic history and biological significance several immune receptor gene families (e.g., KIR, FcR-like) that appear to regulate leukocyte functions through integration of inhibitory and activating signals, by genomic and genetic approaches based on the recently fully sequenced genome of the X. laevis sister species Silurana (Xenopus) tropicalis.

A third research area concerns basic comparative and applied studies of viral pathogenesis and immunity in amphibians caused by Poxvirus-like Iridoviruses such as Frog virus 3 (FV3). Because of the threat of emerging wildlife viral diseases on global biodiversity, fundamental research on comparative viral immunity has become crucial. We have established Xenopus as an important experimental model to study the host defense and the pathogenesis of Iridovirus infection, and evaluate the contribution of immunocompromised animals in the dissemination of the diseases. We are also developing a method to knockout (KO) putative virulence genes by site-specific integration of a selectable fluorescent marker into the FV3 genome. Susceptible Xenopus larvae provide an ideal model to evaluate the impact of KOs on in vivo virus load, host mortality and the induction of pro-inflammatory genes.

Xenopus laevis Research Resource for Immunology: The University of Rochester is home to the world's most comprehensive resource specializing in the use of the amphibian Xenopus laevis for immunological research. Several genetically-defined inbred strains and clones are available for study. The facility also maintains and develops research tools such as transgenic animals, monoclonal antibodies, cell lines, DNA libraries and molecular probes. The resource includes a satellite facility devoted to study infectious diseases caused by Iridovirus. The resource is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIAID).

Current Appointments

• Associate Professor - Department of Microbiology and Immunology (SMD)

Education
PhD Microbiology	Switzerland-Fac Med U Geneva	1990
BA Arts & Sciences	Switzerland-Fac Med U Geneva	1985

Post-Doctoral Training & Residency
Senior postdoctoral fellow, Department of Microbiology and Immunology University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry	1995 - 1997
Postdoctoral fellow with Dr. Louis Du Pasquier & Member of the Basel Institute for Immunology.	1993 - 1994
Postdoctoral fellow with Dr. Louis Du Pasquier & Member of the Basel Institute for Immunology.	1990 - 1995
Teaching Assistant in Genetics, Cytogenetics and Embryology in the Department of Animal Biology University of Geneva.	1985 - 1990
Predoctoral fellow with Dr. Hans Rudi Kobel, University of Geneva, Department of Animal Biology	1985 - 1990

Lab Website

http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/smd/mbi/faculty/labs/robert/index.html

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Recent Journal Articles
Showing the 5 most recent journal articles. (61 available)
Goyos A, Ohta Y, Guselnikov S, Robert J. "Novel nonclassical MHC class Ib genes associated with CD8 T cell development and thymic tumors." Mol Immunol. (2009).
Robert J; Ohta Y. "Comparative and developmental study of the immune system in Xenopus." Developmental dynamics : an official publication of the American Association of Anatomists. 2009; 238(6):1249-70.
Goyos A; Robert J. "Tumorigenesis and anti-tumor immune responses in Xenopus." Frontiers in bioscience : a journal and virtual library. 2009; 14():167-76. Epub 2009 Jan 01.
Morales, H. and J. Robert. "In vivo and in vitro techniques for comparative study of antiviral T-cell responses in the amphibian Xenopus." Biol. Proced. Online 10:1-7 (2008).
Guselnikov S.V., *Ramanayake T, Yerilova, A., Mechetina, L.V., Najakshin A.M., Robert, J., and Taranin A.V. "The Xenopus FcR-family demonstrates continually high diversification of paired receptors in vertebrate evolution." BMC Evolutionary Biology 16:8:148 (2008).