Erik Peterson

Assistant Professor
Division of Rheumatic and Autoimmune Diseases

Dr. Erik Peterson joined the division in July, 2002. He is also a member of the interdisciplinary Center for Immunology and its Autoimmunity Program. He is a superbly trained immunologist with a scientific interest in those molecules that regulate the development and function of the immune system and prevent or promote the development of autoimmunity. He is also developing a general rheumatology practice and participates in resident and fellow teaching.

Research in the Peterson laboratory

Dr. Erik Peterson has strong interests in the development and function of the immune cells that have been implicated in a number of autoimmune diseases. He is currently conducting research into the biological role of a novel adapter protein, PRAM-1, that he helped to isolate and identify. PRAM-1 is implicated in the pathogenesis of myeloid leukemia, and may play roles in myeloid signaling and development. Using genetic and biochemical approaches, the Peterson laboratory is investigating the mechanism whereby PRAM-1 regulates neutrophil integrin signaling and reactive oxygen species production. Dr. Peterson's previous work has already shown the critical importance of a related protein, ADAP, for T cell receptor mediated cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion in T cells. Current experiments with ADAP-deficient mice are determining how ADAP regulates T cell development.

Publications PUBMED