Gregory Seumois

Research Focus

The Seumois Laboratory @ San Diego BioMed

Our Vision: Decoding Airway Immunity, Transforming Respiratory Health

Our Mission: At the Seumois Lab, as we like to call the A³SOM Lab — short for Asthma and Aero-Allergies & OMics Lab — we are a dedicated team driven by a passion for advancing research on chronic non-infectious respiratory diseases such as asthma and respiratory allergies. Our mission is to bridge the gap between innovative research and its clinical applications, with a focus on understanding human biology. Using cutting-edge genomic techniques at both bulk and single-cell levels, we analyze immune cells from clinical samples to uncover the molecular complexities of these diseases. Our research starts with human discoveries, which we then explore through various models, including animal and in vitro systems, to assess their functional and therapeutic potential. Our ultimate aim is to develop therapies that can significantly impact the management of these conditions.

Our Goals: Research is concentrated in four key areas:

1. THIFNR cells: We have identified a unique subset of CD4+ T cells, known as THIFNR Cells, which play a crucial role in immune regulation by influencing TCR signaling in other T cells. [Science Immunology 2020] – [NIH-R01AI163665, R21AI173884].
2. Cytotoxic Tissue-Resident Memory CD4+ T Cells: We study CD4+ T cells found in the upper respiratory tissues of severe asthma patients. These cells seem to be associated with asthma severity, particularly in men over 40. We are collaborating with clinical experts to explore their potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets. [MED 2023] – [NIH-R01]
3. TH2 Subset Heterogeneity: Our research into allergic reactive T cells reveals that TH2 cells are highly heterogeneous and adapt to various allergens. We are particularly interested in TH2 cells expressing IL-9, which enhances TH2 inflammation, and the response of TH2 cells in fungal allergies, involving a systemic inflammatory response. Understanding the plasticity of the TH2 transcriptome and chromatin is a critical area of our work.
4. Innate Effector Cells: We are examining the roles and diversity of various immune cells related to severe asthma and respiratory allergies, including specific TH2 subsets, tissue-resident CD8 T cells, and effector cells like eosinophils and neutrophils.
5. Genomic Hub: The Seumois Lab serves as a premier immune and functional genomic hub, specializing in research that goes beyond the capabilities of standard core setups. We contribute to major NIH projects, such as the Human Immunology Project Consortium, and are pioneering new assays to study human cellular and molecular components, including single-cell whole-genome profiling in rare conditions like recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. Our expertise encompasses a wide array of Omics techniques, validated for use with valuable clinical samples and rare immune cells.

Collaboration and Outreach: Collaboration is integral to our success. We have established strong partnerships with research teams across the USA and internationally, including institutions such as UCSD, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, University of Michigan, University of Memphis, University of Ghent and Liege in Belgium, the Universities of Southampton and Liverpool in the UK, and the National Polytechnic Institute in Mexico. These collaborations enrich our research and promote global knowledge exchange.

Dr. Seumois pledge for Inclusivity and Diversity: Dr. Seumois is committed to creating an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment. Upholding high ethical standards and rigorous research practices, we strive to advance science with integrity and respect.

Join the team: We welcome passionate individuals to join us in making a tangible difference in the lives of those affected by respiratory diseases. Together, let’s drive innovation and improve healthcare outcomes. Feel free to reach out to us at gseumois@sdbri.org.

https://dice-database.org/

https://immunespace.org/

https://preciseasthma.org/preciseweb/

https://annualmeeting.aaaai.org/attendee/discovery-program