Edward A. Clark, Ph.D.

Research in The Clark laboratory is focused on investigating how the innate immune system programs protective antibody responses to infectious diseases and also contributes to the development of autoantibodies in diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The Clark group is examining the role of cytokines such as B cell activating factor (BAFF) and type I interferon in protective humoral immunity and autoimmunity. The lab also is developing vaccines containing viral antigens attached to engineered monoclonal antibodies that program protective immune responses against viruses such as hepatitis B virus and West Nile virus. The lab works closely with OnTarget Vaccines, a new Seattle-based company to develop therapeutic vaccines.