Biography

EDUCATION

Postdoctoral training: Harvard Medical School, Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston MA

Ph.D., Immunology, Tufts University, Boston MA

B.A., Biology, Concordia College, Moorhead MN

B.A., Chemistry, Concordia College, Moorhead MN

RESEARCH

We are interested in understanding how infection and disease influence alternative gene splicing in immune cells over time. Particularly, we are examining alternative gene splicing in natural killer (NK) cells during HIV and SIV infection, as well as in prostate cancer and renal cell carcinoma. We are also examining whether alternative splicing in microglia in various brain regions is modulated during inflammatory conditions like Alzheimer’s Disease. Through our work we hope to determine whether gene isoform-specific interventions can restore the dysfunctional immune responses often characteristic of chronic disease/infection in order to improve health.

In our lab we utilize several model systems, including mice, non-human primates and various human cell lines, tissues or primary cells. To determine the role of alternative gene splicing in the various diseases and animal models, our work combines third generation (long-read) RNA Sequencing with spatial transcriptomics approaches as well as multiparametric immunohistochemistry and multiparametric RNA flow-cytometry.

To learn more about the Ram Lab please visit: www.alternativegenesplicing.com

PUBLICATIONS

For a current list of publications please visit: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/daniel.ram.1/bibliography/public/