Dr. Tanita Wein

Our lab explores how immune systems have evolved across different forms of life, focusing on the ancient and diverse immune systems of bacteria.

Immune systems have adapted over millions of years to help organisms survive in changing environments and fight off pathogens. Surprisingly, many of the evovled strategies used to defend against threats are shared across all living things—from single-celled microbes to humans.

By comparing immune systems across species, we aim to uncover both shared features and unique adaptations. This will help us understand how immune systems work, why they are so diverse, and what connects them across the tree of life. Our research provides a fascinating look at how life defends itself and evolves over time.