A group photo of Karandikar Lab

2023 Lab Group Photo

About The Lab

A major focus of the laboratory is the immune-mediated, demyelinating disease, multiple sclerosis (MS). Through studies in human MS and its animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), we are dissecting the role of autoreactive and regulatory CD8+ and CD4+ T-cells in the intrinsic as well as therapeutic modulation of disease, including their interactions with dendritic cells and B cells. We are dissecting the role of effect  or T-cell resistance to immune suppression. An additional intent of these studies is also to unveil the regulatory components of the healthy immune system. We are also closely involved in several collaborative projects, including clinical projects involving immunophenotypic characterization and multi-modality diagnostics of hematolymphoid disorders and the development and evaluation of newer diagnostic test technologies in cellular immunology and clinical flow cytometry.

Research Projects

Karandikar's Lab Members

Front: Michael Crawford, Alexander Boyden, Nitin Karandikar, Kai Rogers, Chakrapani Vemulawada
Back: Mohit Upadhye, Connor Wilhelm, Mohan Kumar, Aditya Kulkarni, Kshitija Kale

Recent News

Alexander Boyden

Dr. Alexander Boyden receives a one-year research grant from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society investigating the role of Epstein Barr Virus-like murine viral infection on the induction of multiple sclerosis

Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Dr. Alexander Boyden received a one-year RFA research grant award from the National MS Society entitled “Impact of gamma herpesvirus infection on required B cell:CD4 T cell interactions in a novel B cell-dependent, antibody-independent EAE model”.
Alexander Boyden

Dr. Alexander Boyden receives a five-year R01 research grant from the National Institutes of Health investigating B cell:CD4 T cell interactions in multiple sclerosis

Tuesday, August 22, 2023
Dr. Alexander Boyden received a five-year NIH R01 award entitled “Pathogenic B cell:CD4 T Cell Interactions in a Novel B Cell-dependent EAE Mouse Model of Multiple Sclerosis” from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID).
 Alexander Boyden, Connor Wilhelm, and Dr. Karandikar smiling

Connor Wilhelm successfully defends and publishes his M.S. Thesis

Thursday, August 10, 2023
Connor Wilhelm completed the Pathology M.S. program by successfully defending his thesis on June 30th, 2023. He performed his thesis work in the laboratory of Dr. Nitin Karandikar, with additional mentorship from Dr. Alexander Boyden in the Karandikar group. Drs. Ashutosh Mangalam and Scott Lieberman also served on his thesis committee.