My laboratory works to understand the immune mechanisms which allow an animal to recognize, respond, eliminate, and develop resistance to pathogens. Our approach involves understanding both cellular and molecular aspects of the host response. Currently there are three primary research projects in the laboratory: 1) Understanding the key innate immune responses involved in pathogenesis and disease resolution of astrovirus induced gastroenteritis, a major cause of diarrhea in turkey poults, and humans, 2) Understanding how genetic polymorphisms in innate immune response genes affect resistance and susceptibility to infection, and 3) Understanding how changes in the intestinal microflora affects gut physiology, mucosal immunity, and ultimately the overall health of the animal.