our research
The research in our laboratory focuses on the inflammatory host defense and chronic inflammatory disease. In particular, we are studying regulation of inflammasomes in phagocytic cells and inflammatory activation and cytoskelletal rearrangement of endothelial cells.
Inflammation is a non-specific immune response that occurs in reaction to any type of tissue injury to support tissue repair. Thus, acute inflammatory reactions are beneficial; however, chronic and inappropriate inflammation is linked to tissue destruction and disease. Therefore, an important goal is to define strategies to limit these excessive and uncontrolled inflammatory reactions. Inflammasomes are protein complexes that mediate activation of the inflammatory caspase 1 and subsequent secretion of its pro-inflammatory cytokine substrates IL-1beta and IL-18 in monocytes and macrophages. We are investigating the molecular mechanisms that control activation of inflammasomes, which might provide potential targets for developing novel therapies to treat chronic inflammatory diseases.
We routinely employ molecular, cellular, biochemical and imaging approaches in our studies, including live cell imaging, develop conditional transgenic and knock-out mice, have access to patient samples, and design high-throughput assays to screen for inflammasome-modulating proteins and compounds. If you would like to learn more about our research, you are welcome to visit or contact us.
our laboratory
The Stehlik lab is located in the Department of Medicine/Division of Rheumatology at the Chicago Campus of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Located between Lake Michigan and the Magnificent Mile with everything Chicago has to offer in close proximity. The laboratory consists of modern research space with state of the art equipment located on the Mezzanine level of the McGaw/Olson Pavilion with access to the excellent common core facilities available at Northwestern University. A variety of campus-wide lecture series occurring on a daily basis.
Opportunities for graduate studies in the Stehlik lab are available through the Integrated Graduate Program in the Life Sciences (IGP). First year IGP and MD-PhD program (MSTP) students interested in rotating in the Stehlik lab are encouraged to contact me directly by Email for more information. Also feel free to visit the laboratory at any time. The Stehlik lab also provides opportunities for PhDs, MDs, and MD/PhDs seeking advanced postdoctoral or fellow training. If you want to learn more about postdoctoral training please contact me by Email.
our research funding
Research in our laboratory is currently supported by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease (NIAMS), the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the American Heart Association (AHA), The Arthritis Foundation, the John P. Gallagher Research Professorship and Northwestern University. Previously, the laboratory received funding from NIAID, the American Heart Association (AHA), and the Concern Foundation,