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Hill Laboratory
The Hill Lab uses clinical and epidemiological observations to guide mechanistic studies in disease models and human samples. The lab’s work focuses primarily on the two most common chronic diseases of childhood: allergy and obesity. Wet-lab research falls broadly into the scientific fields of experimental immunology, cell and molecular biology, genomics, and epigenetics. By having in-house expertise in both clinical informatics and traditional wet-lab techniques, the lab is optimally situated to translate observations from the clinic, to the bench, and back.a
Successful examples of this approach include:
- Discerning microbiologic and immunologic mechanisms that explain epidemiological links between commensal-altering environmental stimuli (antibiotic/microbial exposure, cesarean section, feeding practices) and allergic outcomes.
- Identification of eosinophilic esophagitis as a member of the allergic march, and studies of the immunologic basis for this connection.
- Understanding the inflammatory link between obesity/western diet and inflammatory comorbidities (allergy, atherosclerosis, cancer, etc.).
The Hill Lab is always open to collaboration and meeting with potential new lab members. If you would like to contact the lab, send them an email.
Project Highlights
- Identification and functional studies of adipose tissue immune cells in the context of obesity.
- Mechanistic studies of mouse models deficient in molecules of functional significance to allergy, obesity, and adipose tissue homeostasis.
- Studies of the effects of obesity on immune cell metabolism, function, and contribution to inflammatory disease states.
- Studies of the role of the innate immune system in the initiation and propagation of allergic inflammation.
- Development of novel diagnostic tests and therapeutic approaches for food allergy.
- Interrogations of genetic, environmental, and immunologic determinants of the allergic march.
Leader
David A. Hill, MD, PhD
Attending Physician
Dr. Hill seeks to understand how the immune system contributes to the two most common chronic diseases of childhood: allergy and obesity. He uses clinical and epidemiological information to guide basic and translational research on the genetic, epigenetic, and immunologic basis of these important conditions.