A type of white blood cell—the T-cell—is a critical component of immunity in both children and adults.

To defend against disease, T-cells must move efficiently through the body, on a search and destroy mission for bacteria, viruses, cancer cells, and other invaders. When  T-cells fail to move and function adequately, pediatric patients face an increased risk of infection, cancer, and autoimmune diseases like lupus erythematosus.

To understand the T-cell, its movement, and its activation, S. Celeste Morley, MD, PhD studies the effect of a protein, called L-plastin, on T-cell function.

Recently, Dr. Morley was named a Faculty Scholar of the Children’s Discovery Institute.  Her grant from the Institute will help support research that, in the short-term, seeks to explain how L-plastin deficiency might adversely affect the immune response to infection in children.  In the long-term, Dr. Morley’s research may result in new ways to manage children with immunodeficiencies.

Click here to learn about a recent publication on L-plastin by Dr. Morley and her colleagues.

Click here to read more on our website about Dr. Morley's research.