Hemostasis and Immunity Lab

Mucosal barrier sites are the first encounters of many environmental stimuli that maintain the delicate balance between protection from infection or injury and pathological inflammation. Tissue injury causes activation of two very important systems, namely the hemostatic system and the inflammatory system. These two systems work in a reciprocal relationship to repair the damage and maintain mucosal homeostasis.

Work from the last few decades has uncovered the involvement of the hemostatic factors in immunity. It is not surprising, as the central immune cells of invertebrates, hemocytes, are able to phagocytose, secrete soluble mediators and promote coagulation of hemolymph, blurring the line between immunity and hemostasis. The undeniable link between coagulation and immunity becomes clearer as the role of coagulation factors in inflammation is better understood.

Research in the Silva Lab is focused on understanding the role of hemostatic factors in inflammatory regulation in the mucosal tissues. Dr. Silva's  current lab has funded projects on understanding the role of fibrin in activating neutrophil effector functions in the oral mucosa.

Funding

K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award on “Fibrin-Neutrophil Interaction in Periodontitis Immunopathology” (Sep, 2021-2026)

Join the Hemostasis and Immunity Lab

We are recruiting highly motivated individuals for the positions of postdocs, research associates, and self-funded visiting scholars to join the team. If you are interested, please email your CV and a cover letter.

Related Publications

Access related publications by Dr. Silva on ORCID.