Rebecca Brunette

Department: Immunology
Year Entered: 2007
Prior Degrees: BS, University of Washington, 2006

Research Synopsis:
My current work involves the study of cell intrinsic DNA detection in host defense to viral pathogens and autoimmunity. The goal of my project is to identify Trex1 interacting proteins and DNA substrates. Trex1 was recently discovered to be a cytosolic DNA exonuclease that negatively regulates the interferon stimulatory DNA (ISD) pathway. Interestingly, human mutations in Trex1 cause a severe autoimmune disease, Acardi-Gouteires Syndrome, thereby linking the events that initiate immune responses to DNA to autoimmune disease. By characterizing Trex1 interacting proteins and DNA substrates, we will begin to understand the basis of DNA detection in host defense to DNA viruses, and how unregulated DNA detection can initiate autoimmunity.

Career Goals:
Academic faculty career track

Why I am participating in the Molecular Medicine Program:
I am participating in the Molecular Medicine Program to learn how basic research can be integrated into clinical practice. As a scientist, there is little opportunity to discover how basic research is applied to human disease. This program has given me the opportunity to discover the applied aspect of research and will inform my research goals in the future to target diseases of importance to human health and disease.

Publications:
Mutations involved in Aicardi-Goutie`res syndrome implicate SAMHD1 as regulator of the innate immune response. Rice GI, Bond J, Asipu A, Brunette RL, Manfield IW, Carr IM, Fuller JC, Jackson RM, Lamb T, Briggs TA, Ali M, Gornall H, Couthard LR, Aeby A, Attard-Montalto SP, Bertini E, Bodemer C, Brockmann K, Brueton LA, Corry PC, Desguerre I, Fazzi E, Cazorla AG, Gener B, Hamel BCJ, Heiberg A, Hunter M, van der Knaap MS, Kumar R, Lagae L, Landrieu PG, Lourenco CM, Marom D, McDermott MF, van der Merwe W, Orcesi S, Prendiville JS, Rasmussen M, Shalev SA, Soler DM, Shinawi M, Spiegel R, Tan TY, Vanderver A, Wakeling EL, Wassmer E, Whittaker E, Lebon P, Stetson DB, Bonthron DT & Crow YJ.
Nature Genetics, published online June 14 2009