Jeannette Tenthorey is investigating how mammals’ immune systems stop bacterial invaders from growing. One family of immune proteins unravels molecular strings that some bacteria use to travel through infected cells. Tenthorey has identified rapidly evolving changes in these immune proteins – a sign that they are mutating to counteract bacterial attempts to evade or destroy them. She plans to determine the specific mutations that help these proteins resist attack. The work could offer new tools for halting bacterial growth.
HHMI-supported scientists have spent decades at the forefront of HIV and AIDS research. From the early days of the AIDS epidemic to the latest advancements in research, these profiles showcase the dedication and innovation of researchers who have shaped the field. As a postdoc studying immune-system response to pathogens, HHMI Hanna Gray Fellow Jeannette Tenthorey realized HIV was fruitful field of research. Her work shows how much is left to understand about the virus.