Camell Lab

The Camell lab is part of the Medical Discovery Team on Aging and the Institute on the Biology of Aging and Metabolism at the University of Minnesota.

Age is associated with increased inflammation, visceral adiposity and metabolic disease. The aging of immune cells includes the development of exhausted, inflammatory and senescent phenotypes. Tissue resident immune cells are required for dampening inflammation and maintaining tissue homeostasis. Immune cell drive the increased inflammation and metabolic impairments that are seen with increased age.

The research in my lab focuses on fundamental questions addressing the biology of aging and age-related diseases, while investigating the changes that occur within the immune system. Specifically, we are interested in the development of inflammaging and immunosenescence. We use mouse models of naturally aged mice to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms that lead to immunosenescence. We have extensive expertise in using white adipose tissue as a model organ to understand the impact of inflammaging and metabolic dysfunction within non-lymphoid tissue. We use numerous tools and techniques to dissect out the function of various cell types, including multi-parameter flow cytometry, single cell RNA sequencing and biochemical analyses. My research has revealed distinct roles for immune cell subsets that become immunosenescent – including an inflammatory and exhausted phenotype of CD8 T cells, macrophages and B cells. These age-dependent phenotypes have a negative impact on adipose tissue function and infection-related mortality. We are especially interested in the impact of a new infection on the aged immune system. In these projects, the development of senescence and inflammation in the immune system is a key feature of increased susceptibility for infection. 

We aim to maintain a highly collaborative, independently funded lab, focused on defining inflammatory mechanisms that drive loss of non- lymphoid organ homeostasis and disease during aging and age-related diseases. We are committed to scientific rigor, training and providing a supporting scientific environment. Mentoring and training are also high priorities of the lab. 

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