Alejandro Aballay, PhD
Department of Genetics, Division of Discovery Science
About Dr. Alejandro Aballay
Dr. Alejandro Aballay is Professor, Department of Genetics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Professor, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern Medical School at UT Health Houston and Dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Before joining MD Anderson and the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Dr. Aballay was Professor and Chair of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology at OHSU. Prior to OHSU, Dr. Aballay was Professor in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology and Center Director at Duke University Medical Center. Dr. Aballay received his Ph.D. in Molecular and Cell Biology from the Nacional de Cuyo University Medical School in Mendoza, Argentina, in 1998. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Washington University School of Medicine, in 1999, on intracellular trafficking. He completed a second postdoctoral fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital and the Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, in 2002, on molecular pathogenesis. Dr. Aballay joined the Duke faculty in 2002 and launched a multidisciplinary research program studying neural circuits involved in the control of stress responses and innate immunity. His team also studies the effects of inflammation on the nervous system. Dr. Aballay has published in Science, Developmental Cell, PNAS. eLife, and Current Biology. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology, AAAS and a member of multiple editorial boards, including Virulence, Journal of Pathogens, Frontiers in Microbial Immunology, and mBio. He has served on a number of grant review panels for the National Science Foundation and NIH. He has received a prestigious NIH MERIT Award from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences for his research project on the role of the nervous system in controlling immunity.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Dean-GSBS Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX
Professor, Genetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Professor (Joint appointment), Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Dean-GSBS Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX
Professor, Deptment of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Professor, Genetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Research Interests
Alejandro Aballay's lab has a broad research program encompassing genetics, functional genomics and neurobiological approaches to study mechanisms involved in the control of immune responses against microbial pathogens. Immune activation needs to be fine-tuned since deficient or excessive inflammation can lead to cancer or other conditions such as Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease.
Recent studies from Aballay Lab indicate that different immune and cellular homeostatic mechanisms are regulated at the organismal level by the nervous system. The lab's research has demonstrated that specific neurons suppress innate immunity in the intestinal cells of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, in part by down-modulating a mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway similar to the mammalian p38 MAPK pathway that is highly conserved across metazoans. The lab found that G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) participate in neural circuits that control a conserved p38/PMK-1 MAPK immune pathway and non-canonical and canonical XBP-1 unfolded protein response pathways that are expressed in non-neuronal tissues and that are necessary to alleviate the increased demand on protein folding during immune activation.
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 1998 | Nacional de Cuyo University Medical School, Mendoza, AR, Molecular and Cell Biology, Ph.D |
| 1997 | Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, US, Graduate Student Fellow, Ph.D |
| 1995 | Nacional de Cuyo University Medical School, Mendoza, AR, Molecular and Cell Biology, M.S |
| 1994 | Juan Agustín Maza University, Mendoza, AR, Pharm. D, PHARMD |
Postgraduate Training
| 1999-2002 | Postdoctoral, Molecular Pathogenesis. Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts |
| 1999-2002 | Research Fellow, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts |
| 1998-1999 | Postdoctoral, Intracellular Trafficking. Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri |
| 1998-1999 | Research Fellow, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri |
| 1996-1997 | Graduate Student Fellow, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri |
| 1995-1998 | Graduate Student, National Council for Research, Nacional de Cuyo University Medical School, Mendoza |
| 1995-1998 | Lecturer, Nacional de Cuyo University Medical School, Mendoza |
| 1994-1998 | Lecturer, Juan A. Maza University, Mendoza |
Experience & Service
Faculty Academic Appointments
Professor and Chair, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 2017 - 2024
Adjunct Professor, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 2017 - 2021
Professor, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 2016 - 2017
Director, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 2014 - 2017
Associate Professor, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 2009 - 2016
Assistant Professor, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 2002 - 2009
Editorial Activities
Member of Editorial Review Board, BIOCEL, 2018 - 2020
Member of Editorial Review Board, mBio, 2017 - 2026
Member of Editorial Review Board, Journal of Genetics and Genome Research, 2014 - Present
Associate Guess Editor, PLOS Genetics, 2013 - 2018
Member of consulting, Journal of Clinical Investigation, 2012 - 2017
Member of Editorial Review Board, Frontiers in Microbial Immunology, 2010 - Present
Member of Editorial Review Board, Journal of Pathogens, 2010 - Present
Member of Editorial Review Board, Virulence, 2010 - 2018
Member of Editorial Review Board, International Journal of Physiology, Pathology and Pharmacology, 2009 - Present
Member of Editorial Review Board, PLOS ONE, 2006 - 2018
Honors & Awards
| 2024 | John P. McGovern Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Endowed Distinguished Professorship, UT Health Houston |
| 2017 | American Academy of Microbiology Fellow |
| 2017 | Maximizing Investigator Research Award (MIRA), NIH |
| 2017 | William A. Whitsell Dean’s Leadership Professorship. Oregon Health & Science University |
| 2016 | Dean’s Suite wall of faculty members who have reached extraordinary levels of accomplishment. Noted for identifying the first neural circuits involved in the control of innate immunity at whole animal level. Duke University Medical Center |
| 2014 | Chancellor’s Discovery Award Program. Duke University Medical Center |
| 2013 | American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Fellow |
| 2009 | Dana Foundation. Neuroimmunology of Brain Infections and Cancers Award |
| 2008 - 2009 | Chancellor's Science Advisory Council Award. Duke University Medical Center |
| 2005 | HIC Small Innovative Project Award. Duke Center for Translational Research |
| 2005 | ICAAC Young Investigator Award. American Society for Microbiology (ASM) |
| 2004 | SERCEB Biodefense and Emerging Infections Career Development and Education Award. Southeast Regional Center of Excellence for Emerging Infections & Biodefense (SERCEB/NIH) |
| 2003 - 2008 | Whitehead Scholar in Biomedical Sciences at Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC |
| 2001 - 2003 | Medical Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship at Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Genetics, Harvard Medical School |
| 2000 - 2001 | Massachusetts General Hospital Funding for Medical Discovery Postdoctoral Fellowship at Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Genetics, Harvard Medical School |
| 1998 - 2000 | Pew Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship at Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine and Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Genetics, Harvard Medical School |
| 1997 | Washington University Fellowship. Characterization of the Rab11 function in endocytosis. Three months of training at the Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine |
| 1996 | The American Society for Cell Biology/International Federation on Cell Biology Travel Award. 6th International Congress on Cell Biology |
| 1996 | World Bank Fellowship. Mutagenesis of Rab22. Three months of training at the Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine |
| 1995 - 1998 | National Council for Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET) Predoctoral Fellowship, Argentina |
Professional Memberships
Selected Presentations & Talks
National Presentations
- 2020. 2020 C. elegans Metabolism, Aging, Pathogenesis, Stress and Small RNAs (MAPS) meeting. Invited. 2020 C. elegans Metabolism, Aging, Pathogenesis, Stress and Small RNAs (MAPS) meeting. Wisconsin, Madison, US.
- 2019. FASEB Molecular Pathogenesis: Mechanisms of Infectious Disease. Invited. FASEB Molecular Pathogenesis: Mechanisms of Infectious Disease, CO, US.
- 2019. Keynote Speaker at 2019 Northwest Worm Meeting. Invited. Keynote Speaker at 2019 Northwest Worm Meeting. Washington, DC, US.
- 2013. FASEB Meeting: From Unfolded Proteins in the ER to Disease. Invited. Vermont Academy. Saxtons River, VT, US.
- 2013. Insights and Solutions for Emerging Infectious Diseases. Neural regulation of pathogen recognition and immune activation. Invited. Insights and Solutions for Emerging Infectious Diseases. Neural regulation of pathogen recognition and immune activation. Durham, NC, US.
- 2011. 5th Annual Center for Human Immunology Symposium. September 15, 2011. Intelligent command of defenses: Neural regulation of pathogen recognition and immune activation. Invited. 5th Annual Center for Human Immunology Symposium. September 15, 2011. Intelligent command of defenses: Neural regulation of pathogen recognition and immune activation. Milwaukee, WI, US.
- 2008. Gordon Conference: Microbial Toxins and Pathogenicity. Unfolded protein response genes regulated by CED-1 are required for Caenorhabditis elegans innate immunity. Invited. Proctor Academy. Andover, NH, US.
- 2007. Southeast Regional Center of Excellence for Emerging Infections and Biodefense. Annual Meeting. Drug Discovery and High Throughput Technology. Invited. Southeast Regional Center of Excellence for Emerging Infections and Biodefense. Annual Meeting. Drug Discovery and High Throughput Technology. Nashville, TN, US.
- 2007. 4th Annual NIAID RCE Research Meeting. Genetic analysis of innate immunity to Y. pestis using C. elegans as model host. Invited. 4th Annual NIAID RCE Research Meeting. Genetic analysis of innate immunity to Y. pestis using C. elegans as model host. St Louis, MO, US.
- 2006. American Society for Cell Biology 2006. Genetic pathways that regulate stress response, aging, and immunity in Caenorhabditis elegans. “Novel & Newsworthy Top Pick". Invited. American Society for Cell Biology 2006. Genetic pathways that regulate stress response, aging, and immunity in Caenorhabditis elegans. “Novel & Newsworthy Top Pick". San Diego, CA, US.
- 2006. Regional Centers for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases Research. Fourth Annual Meeting. Mechanisms to boost immunity to Y. pestis. Invited. Regional Centers for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases Research. Fourth Annual Meeting. Mechanisms to boost immunity to Y. pestis. Gainesville, FL, US.
- 2006. Gordon Conference: Microbial Toxins and Pathogenicity. Genetic pathways that regulate the expression of conserved effectors of the C. elegans immune system (Poster). Invited. Proctor Academy. Andover, NH, US.
- 2006. Regional Centers for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases Research. Third Annual Meeting. Genetic analysis of innate immunity to Y. pestis using C. elegans as model host. Invited. Regional Centers for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases Research. Third Annual Meeting. Genetic analysis of innate immunity to Y. pestis using C. elegans as model host. New York City, NY, US.
- 2005. Gordon Conference: Molecular Mechanisms of Microbial Adhesion. Characterization of the CED-3-mediated immune response against Salmonella enterica (Poster). Invited. Salve Regina University. Newport, RI, US.
- 2005. SERCEB Immunology Workshop. C. elegans as a model host to study bacterial pathogenesis and innate immunity. Invited. SERCEB Immunology Workshop. C. elegans as a model host to study bacterial pathogenesis and innate immunity. Chapel Hill, NC, US.
- 2005. Regional Centers for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases Research. Second Annual Meeting. C. elegans as host to study Y. pestis pathogenesis. Invited. Regional Centers for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases Research. Second Annual Meeting. C. elegans as host to study Y. pestis pathogenesis. Galveston, TX, US.
- 2005. Distinguished Speaker Series. NIH Genetics Training Grant at the University of Michigan. “C. elegans as a model host to study host-pathogen interactions”. Invited. University of Michigan Medical School. Ann Arbor, MI, US.
- 2004. COBRE in Lipidomics & Pathobiology: Mini-Symposium on Lipid-mediated Infectious Diseases. Study of innate immunity and bacterial pathogenesis using C. elegans. Invited. Medical University of South Carolina. Charleston, SC, US.
- 2004. Gordon Conference: Microbial Toxins and Pathogenicity. Study of conserved host-pathogen interactions at the molecular level using C. elegans and S. enterica (Poster). Invited. Proctor Academy. Andover, NH, US.
- 2003. Toxicogenomics Research Consortium Bi-Annual Meeting. Genetic Study of C. elegans Innate Immune Response. Invited. Toxicogenomics Research Consortium Bi-Annual Meeting. Genetic Study of C. elegans Innate Immune Response. Seattle, WA, US.
- 2002. Gordon Conference: Microbial Stress Response. Caenorhabditis elegans innate immune response triggered by Salmonella enterica requires intact LPS and is mediated by a MAPK signaling pathway (Poster). Invited. Salve Regina University. Newport, RI, US.
- 2001. 7th Annual Boston Bacterial Meeting. Caenorhabditis elegans as a model host for human bacterial pathogens. Invited. 7th Annual Boston Bacterial Meeting. Caenorhabditis elegans as a model host for human bacterial pathogens. Boston, MA, US.
International Presentations
- 2023. 3rd Latin American Worm Meeting. Invited. 3rd Latin American Worm Meeting. Valparaiso, CL.
- 2022. 6rd International Conference on Model Hosts. Invited. 6rd International Conference on Model Hosts. Rhodes, GR.
- 2020. 12th FENS Forum of Neuroscience. Invited. 12th FENS Forum of Neuroscience. Glasgow, GB.
- 2017. 4rd International Conference on Model Hosts. Invited. 4rd International Conference on Model Hosts. Rhodes, GR.
- 2016. Keynote Speaker at 10th Scientific Federation Conference: World Congress and Expo on Immunology. Invited. Keynote Speaker at 10th Scientific Federation Conference: World Congress and Expo on Immunology. Dubai, AE.
- 2015. 3rd International Conference on Model Hosts. Organismal control of defense responses and recovery from infections in C. elegans. Invited. 3rd International Conference on Model Hosts. Organismal control of defense responses and recovery from infections in C. elegans. Chania, GR.
- 2014. Pew Meeting. Invited. Pew Meeting. Herradura, CR.
- 2013. Gordon Conference: New Opportunities with G-protein Coupled Receptors/From Single Molecules and Signaling Complexes to Physiology and Therapeutic Interventions. Invited. Gordon Conference: New Opportunities with G-protein Coupled Receptors/From Single Molecules and Signaling Complexes to Physiology and Therapeutic Interventions. Lucca, IT.
- 2012. 2nd International Conference on Model Hosts. Neural regulation of proteostasis during immune activation. Invited. 2nd International Conference on Model Hosts. Neural regulation of proteostasis during immune activation. Rhodes, GR.
- 2011. 8th International Conference on Innate Immunity. Neuronal G-protein coupled catecholamine receptor controls innate immunity by regulating unfolded protein response genes. Invited. 8th International Conference on Innate Immunity. Neuronal G-protein coupled catecholamine receptor controls innate immunity by regulating unfolded protein response genes. Crete, GR.
- 2010. 1st International Conference on Model Hosts. Intelligent command of defenses: Neural regulation of pathogen recognition and immune activation. Invited. 1st International Conference on Model Hosts. Intelligent command of defenses: Neural regulation of pathogen recognition and immune activation. Crete, GR.
- 2007. 43th Argentine Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Research (SAIB) Annual Meeting. Cell Biology Symposium. Use of C. elegans to study conserved signaling pathways that regulate innate immunity. Invited. 43th Argentine Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Research (SAIB) Annual Meeting. Cell Biology Symposium. Use of C. elegans to study conserved signaling pathways that regulate innate immunity. Buenos Aires, AR.
- 2006. XII Argentine Meeting of Microbiology. Genetic study to identify new Yersinia pestis virulence factors and innate immunity components against this pathogen. Invited. XII Argentine Meeting of Microbiology. Genetic study to identify new Yersinia pestis virulence factors and innate immunity components against this pathogen. Mendoza, AR.
- 2005. 15th Biennial International C. elegans Meeting. Chair of Pathogenesis Parallel Session. Invited. 15th Biennial International C. elegans Meeting. Chair of Pathogenesis Parallel Session. Los Angeles, US.
- 2003. 14th International C. elegans Meeting. Modeling Innate Immunity in C. elegans Workshop. Invited. 14th International C. elegans Meeting. Modeling Innate Immunity in C. elegans Workshop. Los Angeles, US.
- 2001. 13th International C. elegans Meeting. Infection and Immunity Workshop. Invited. 13th International C. elegans Meeting. Infection and Immunity Workshop. Los Angeles, US.
- 2000. Pew Annual Meeting. Salmonella typhimurium kills C. elegans by an infectious like process. Invited. Pew Annual Meeting. Salmonella typhimurium kills C. elegans by an infectious like process. Conzumel, MX.
Formal Peers
- 2023. Medical School. Invited. Pullman, WA, US.
- 2023. Medical School. Invited. Boston, MA, US.
- 2022. Veterinary School. Invited. Pullman, WA, US.
- 2021. Genome Science. Invited. Portland, OR, US.
- 2019. Feinstein Institute for Medical Research. Invited. New York, NY, US.
- 2018. BioSciences Department. Invited, US.
- 2018. Department of Molecular Microbiology. Invited, US.
- 2017. Vollum Institute. Invited, US.
- 2016. Virgen del Rocio Hospital. Invited. Seville, ES.
- 2015. Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology. Invited, US.
- 2013. Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine. Invited, US.
- 2013. Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology. Invited, US.
- 2012. Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics. Invited, US.
- 2012. Department of Animal Sciences. Invited, US.
- 2012. Department of Cell Biology. Invited, US.
- 2011. Department of Biology. Invited, US.
- 2011. Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems. Invited, US.
- 2011. Department of Immunology. Invited, US.
- 2011. Medical School. Invited, US.
- 2010. Medical School. Invited, US.
- 2010. College of Pharmacy. Invited. Minneapolis, MN, US.
- 2008. C. elegans course. Invited. New York, NY, US.
- 2008. Department of Microbiology. Invited. Chicago, IL, US.
- 2007. Division of Immunology-Microbial Pathogenesis. Invited, US.
- 2006. North Carolina Pathogenesis Research Group Meeting. Invited. Chapel Hill, NC, US.
- 2003. Department of Immunology. Invited, US.
- 2002. Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology. Invited, US.
- 2002. Department of Molecular & Cell Biology. Invited, US.
- 2002. Department of Microbiology and Center for Genetics and Development. Invited, US.
- 2002. Division of Infectious Diseases. Invited, US.
- 2002. Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics. Invited, US.
- 2002. Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy. Invited, US.
- 2002. Department of Microbiology. Invited, US.
- 2002. Department of Microbiology. Invited, US.
- 2001. Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Center for Infectious Diseases. Invited, US.
- 2001. School of Medicine. Invited, US.
- 1999. School of Medicine. Invited, US.
- 1998. Institute of Biochemistry. Invited. Lausanne, CH.
- Department of Pathology. Invited. Salt Lake City, UT, US.
Grant & Contract Support
| Date: | 2023 - 2028 |
| Title: | Founding Director of the Interdisciplinary Training in Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NIGMS |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2020 - 2025 |
| Title: | Mechanism of innate immune activation by intestinal distension |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NIAID |
| Role: | PI |
| ID: | R01 AI156900-01 |
| Date: | 2018 - 2019 |
| Title: | Genetic analysis of innate immunity using C. elegans |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NIGMS |
| Role: | PI |
| ID: | 3R01 GM070977-16S1 |
| Date: | 2017 - 2027 |
| Title: | Genetic analysis of innate immunity using C. elegans |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NIGMS |
| Role: | PI |
| ID: | 2R01 GM070977-18 |
| Date: | 2017 - 2022 |
| Title: | Founding Director of the Duke’s Interdisciplinary Program in Host-Microbial Interactions |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NIAID |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2016 - 2017 |
| Title: | Genetic analysis of innate immunity using C. elegans |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NIGMS |
| Role: | PI |
| ID: | 3R01GM070977-13S1 |
| Date: | 2015 - 2020 |
| Title: | C. elegans to study organismal control of recovery from bacterial infections |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NIAID |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2009 - 2013 |
| Title: | Genetic analysis of innate immunity using C. elegans |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NIGMS |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2004 - 2017 |
| Title: | Genetic analysis of innate immunity using C. elegans |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NIGMS |
| Role: | PI |
| ID: | 5R01 GM070977-12 |
| Title: | Construction of a BSL-3 laboratory to provide the necessary laboratory infrastructure for basic scientists and physician-scientists with common interests in immunology and infectious diseases |
| Funding Source: | NIH ORIP Biomedical Research Facilities |
| Role: | PI |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Lalsiamthara, J, Locke, M, Aballay, A. Circadian-shaped immune variability predicts infection outcome. Science Advances 12(1):1-13, 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 41477859.
- Otarigho, B, Aballay, A. Neurotransmitter signaling in molecular and behavioral immune responses to pathogens in C. elegans. Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews 89(4), 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40932387.
- Otarigho B, Butts AF, Aballay A. Neuronal NPR-15 modulates molecular and behavioral immune responses via the amphid sensory neuron-intestinal axis in C. elegans. Elife 12, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38446031.
- Kaur S, Selden NR, Aballay A. Anti-inflammatory effects of vagus nerve stimulation in pediatric patients with epilepsy. Front Immunol 14:1093574, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 36845140.
- Ren J, Sang Y, Aballay A. Cholinergic receptor-Wnt pathway controls immune activation by sensing intestinal dysfunction. Cell Rep 41(5):111575, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 36323254.
- Filipowicz A, Lalsiamthara J, Aballay A. Dissection of a sensorimotor circuit underlying pathogen aversion in C. elegans. BMC Biol 20(1):229, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 36209082.
- Lalsiamthara J, Aballay A. The gut efflux pump MRP-1 exports oxidized glutathione as a danger signal that stimulates behavioral immunity and aversive learning. Commun Biol 5(1):422, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35513700.
- Sang Y, Ren J, Aballay A. The transcription factor HLH-26 controls probiotic-mediated protection against intestinal infection through up-regulation of the Wnt/BAR-1 pathway. PLoS Biol 20(3):e3001581, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35263319.
- Kaur S, Sang Y, Aballay A. Myotubularin-related protein protects against neuronal degeneration mediated by oxidative stress or infection. J Biol Chem 298(3):101614, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35101447.
- Filipowicz A, Lalsiamthara J, Aballay A. TRPM channels mediate learned pathogen avoidance following intestinal distention. Elife 10, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34032213.
- Otarigho B, Aballay A. Immunity-longevity tradeoff neurally controlled by GABAergic transcription factor PITX1/UNC-30. Cell Rep 35(8):109187, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34038721.
- Hong C, Lalsiamthara J, Ren J, Sang Y, Aballay A. Microbial colonization induces histone acetylation critical for inherited gut-germline-neural signaling. PLoS Biol 19(3):e3001169, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33788830.
- Otarigho B, Aballay A. Cholesterol Regulates Innate Immunity via Nuclear Hormone Receptor NHR-8. iScience 23(5):101068, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32361270.
- Singh J, Aballay A. Bacterial Lawn Avoidance and Bacterial Two Choice Preference Assays in Caenorhabditis elegans. Bio Protoc 10(10):e3623, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 33659296.
- Kaur S, Aballay A. G-Protein-Coupled Receptor SRBC-48 Protects against Dendrite Degeneration and Reduced Longevity Due to Infection. Cell Rep 31(7):107662, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32433971.
- Hoffman CL, Lalsiamthara J, Aballay A. Host Mucin Is Exploited by Pseudomonas aeruginosa To Provide Monosaccharides Required for a Successful Infection. mBio 11(2), 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32127446.
- Singh J, Aballay A. Intestinal infection regulates behavior and learning via neuroendocrine signaling. Elife 8, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31674907.
- Singh J, Aballay A. Microbial Colonization Activates an Immune Fight-and-Flight Response via Neuroendocrine Signaling. Dev Cell 49(1):89-99.e4, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 30827896.
- Olaitan AO, Aballay A. Non-proteolytic activity of 19S proteasome subunit RPT-6 regulates GATA transcription during response to infection. PLoS Genet 14(9):e1007693, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 30265660.
- Cao X, Kajino-Sakamoto R, Doss A, Aballay A. Distinct Roles of Sensory Neurons in Mediating Pathogen Avoidance and Neuropeptide-Dependent Immune Regulation. Cell Rep 21(6):1442-1451, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 29117551.
- Singh J, Aballay A. Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Caused by Lipoprotein Accumulation Suppresses Immunity against Bacterial Pathogens and Contributes to Immunosenescence. mBio 8(3), 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28559483.
- Head BP, Olaitan AO, Aballay A. Role of GATA transcription factor ELT-2 and p38 MAPK PMK-1 in recovery from acute P. aeruginosa infection in C. elegans. Virulence 8(3):261-274, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 27600703.
- Martin N, Singh J, Aballay A. Natural Genetic Variation in the Caenorhabditis elegans Response to Pseudomonas aeruginosa. G3 (Bethesda) 7(4):1137-1147, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28179390.
- Wyatt LH, Luz AL, Cao X, Maurer LL, Blawas AM, Aballay A, Pan WK, Meyer JN. Effects of methyl and inorganic mercury exposure on genome homeostasis and mitochondrial function in Caenorhabditis elegans. DNA Repair (Amst) 52:31-48, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28242054.
- Gomez-Pastor R, Burchfiel ET, Neef DW, Jaeger AM, Cabiscol E, McKinstry SU, Doss A, Aballay A, Lo DC, Akimov SS, Ross CA, Eroglu C, Thiele DJ. Abnormal degradation of the neuronal stress-protective transcription factor HSF1 in Huntington's disease. Nat Commun 8:14405, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28194040.
- Cao X, Aballay A. Neural Inhibition of Dopaminergic Signaling Enhances Immunity in a Cell-Non-autonomous Manner. Curr Biol 26(17):2329-34, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27524480.
- Wu Q, Cao X, Yan D, Wang D, Aballay A. Genetic Screen Reveals Link between the Maternal Effect Sterile Gene mes-1 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa-induced Neurodegeneration in Caenorhabditis elegans. J Biol Chem 290(49):29231-9, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 26475858.
- Head B, Aballay A. Recovery from an acute infection in C. elegans requires the GATA transcription factor ELT-2. PLoS Genet 10(10):e1004609, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 25340560.
- Cai Y, Cao X, Aballay A. Whole-animal chemical screen identifies colistin as a new immunomodulator that targets conserved pathways. mBio 5(4), 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 25118236.
- Singh V, Aballay A. Endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway required for immune homeostasis is neurally controlled by arrestin-1. J Biol Chem 287(40):33191-7, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22875856.
- Sun J, Liu Y, Aballay A. Organismal regulation of XBP-1-mediated unfolded protein response during development and immune activation. EMBO Rep 13(9):855-60, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22791024.
- Sun J, Singh V, Kajino-Sakamoto R, Aballay A. Neuronal GPCR controls innate immunity by regulating noncanonical unfolded protein response genes. Science 332(6030):729-32, 2011. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 21474712.
- Means TK, Aballay A. Models to study ancient host-pathogen interactions: lessons from Crete. EMBO Rep 12(1):5-7, 2011. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 21164515.
- TeKippe M, Aballay A. C. elegans germline-deficient mutants respond to pathogen infection using shared and distinct mechanisms. PLoS One 5(7):e11777, 2010. e-Pub 2010. PMID: 20668681.
- Bolz DD, Tenor JL, Aballay A. A conserved PMK-1/p38 MAPK is required in caenorhabditis elegans tissue-specific immune response to Yersinia pestis infection. J Biol Chem 285(14):10832-40, 2010. e-Pub 2010. PMID: 20133945.
- Singh V, Aballay A. Regulation of DAF-16-mediated Innate Immunity in Caenorhabditis elegans. J Biol Chem 284(51):35580-7, 2009. e-Pub 2009. PMID: 19858203.
- Fuhrman LE, Goel AK, Smith J, Shianna KV, Aballay A. Nucleolar proteins suppress Caenorhabditis elegans innate immunity by inhibiting p53/CEP-1. PLoS Genet 5(9):e1000657, 2009. e-Pub 2009. PMID: 19763173.
- Aballay A. Neural regulation of immunity: role of NPR-1 in pathogen avoidance and regulation of innate immunity. Cell Cycle 8(7):966-9, 2009. e-Pub 2009. PMID: 19270528.
- Styer KL, Singh V, Macosko E, Steele SE, Bargmann CI, Aballay A. Innate immunity in Caenorhabditis elegans is regulated by neurons expressing NPR-1/GPCR. Science 322(5900):460-4, 2008. e-Pub 2008. PMID: 18801967.
- Fuhrman LE, Shianna KV, Aballay A. High-throughput isolation and mapping of C. elegans mutants susceptible to pathogen infection. PLoS One 3(8):e2882, 2008. e-Pub 2008. PMID: 18682730.
- Haskins KA, Russell JF, Gaddis N, Dressman HK, Aballay A. Unfolded protein response genes regulated by CED-1 are required for Caenorhabditis elegans innate immunity. Dev Cell 15(1):87-97, 2008. e-Pub 2008. PMID: 18606143.
- Bartra SS, Styer KL, O'Bryant DM, Nilles ML, Hinnebusch BJ, Aballay A, Plano GV. Resistance of Yersinia pestis to complement-dependent killing is mediated by the Ail outer membrane protein. Infect Immun 76(2):612-22, 2008. e-Pub 2008. PMID: 18025094.
- Styer KL, Click EM, Hopkins GW, Frothingham R, Aballay A. Study of the role of CCR5 in a mouse model of intranasal challenge with Yersinia pestis. Microbes Infect 9(9):1135-8, 2007. e-Pub 2007. PMID: 17644454.
- Kerry S, TeKippe M, Gaddis NC, Aballay A. GATA transcription factor required for immunity to bacterial and fungal pathogens. PLoS One 1(1):e77, 2006. e-Pub 2006. PMID: 17183709.
- Singh V, Aballay A. Heat-shock transcription factor (HSF)-1 pathway required for Caenorhabditis elegans immunity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 103(35):13092-7, 2006. e-Pub 2006. PMID: 16916933.
- Burton EA, Pendergast AM, Aballay A. The Caenorhabditis elegans ABL-1 tyrosine kinase is required for Shigella flexneri pathogenesis. Appl Environ Microbiol 72(7):5043-51, 2006. e-Pub 2006. PMID: 16820504.
- Styer KL, Hopkins GW, Bartra SS, Plano GV, Frothingham R, Aballay A. Yersinia pestis kills Caenorhabditis elegans by a biofilm-independent process that involves novel virulence factors. EMBO Rep 6(10):992-7, 2005. e-Pub 2005. PMID: 16170309.
- Tenor JL, McCormick BA, Ausubel FM, Aballay A. Caenorhabditis elegans-based screen identifies Salmonella virulence factors required for conserved host-pathogen interactions. Curr Biol 14(11):1018-24, 2004. e-Pub 2004. PMID: 15182677.
- Aballay A, Drenkard E, Hilbun LR, Ausubel FM. Caenorhabditis elegans innate immune response triggered by Salmonella enterica requires intact LPS and is mediated by a MAPK signaling pathway. Curr Biol 13(1):47-52, 2003. e-Pub 2003. PMID: 12526744.
- Aballay A, Ausubel FM. Programmed cell death mediated by ced-3 and ced-4 protects Caenorhabditis elegans from Salmonella typhimurium-mediated killing. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 98(5):2735-9, 2001. e-Pub 2001. PMID: 11226309.
- Strauss E. Microbiology. Simple hosts may help reveal how bacteria infect cells. Science 290(5500):2245-7, 2000. e-Pub 2000. PMID: 11188717.
- Aballay A, Yorgey P, Ausubel FM. Salmonella typhimurium proliferates and establishes a persistent infection in the intestine of Caenorhabditis elegans. Curr Biol 10(23):1539-42, 2000. e-Pub 2000. PMID: 11114525.
- Hoffenberg S, Liu X, Nikolova L, Hall HS, Dai W, Baughn RE, Dickey BF, Barbieri MA, Aballay A, Stahl PD, Knoll BJ. A novel membrane-anchored Rab5 interacting protein required for homotypic endosome fusion. J Biol Chem 275(32):24661-9, 2000. e-Pub 2000. PMID: 10818110.
- Arenas GN, Staskevich AS, Aballay A, Mayorga LS. Intracellular trafficking of Brucella abortus in J774 macrophages. Infect Immun 68(7):4255-63, 2000. e-Pub 2000. PMID: 10858243.
- Aballay A, Stahl PD, Mayorga LS. Phorbol ester promotes endocytosis by activating a factor involved in endosome fusion. J Cell Sci 112 ( Pt 15):2549-57, 1999. e-Pub 1999. PMID: 10393811.
- Aballay A, Barbieri MA, Colombo MI, Arenas GN, Stahl PD, Mayorga LS. A phorbol ester-binding protein is required downstream of Rab5 in endosome fusion. FEBS Lett 441(3):373-8, 1998. e-Pub 1998. PMID: 9891974.
- Aballay A, Arenas NG, Quest AF, Mayorga LS. A factor with a zinc- and phorbol ester-binding domain is necessary for endosome fusion. Exp Cell Res 235(1):28-34, 1997. e-Pub 1997. PMID: 9281349.
- Aballay A, Sarrouf MN, Colombo MI, Stahl PD, Mayorga LS. Zn2+ depletion blocks endosome fusion. Biochem J 312 ( Pt 3)(Pt 3):919-23, 1995. e-Pub 1995. PMID: 8554539.
Review Articles
- Singh J, Aballay A. Neural control of behavioral and molecular defenses in C. elegans. Curr Opin Neurobiol 62:34-40, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 31812835.
- Hoffman C, Aballay A. Role of neurons in the control of immune defense. Curr Opin Immunol 60:30-36, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31117013.
- Singh J, Aballay A. Similar Neural Pathways Control Foraging in Mosquitoes and Worms. mBio 10(2), 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31040241.
- Aballay A. Role of the nervous system in the control of proteostasis during innate immune activation: insights from C. elegans. PLoS Pathog 9(8):e1003433, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23950707.
- Singh V, Aballay A. Heat shock and genetic activation of HSF-1 enhance immunity to bacteria. Cell Cycle 5(21):2443-6, 2006. e-Pub 2006. PMID: 17106259.
- Mylonakis E, Aballay A. Worms and flies as genetically tractable animal models to study host-pathogen interactions. Infect Immun 73(7):3833-41, 2005. e-Pub 2005. PMID: 15972468.
- Aballay A, Arenas GN, Mayorga LS. Calcium- and zinc-binding proteins in intracellular transport. Biocell 20(3):339-42, 1996. e-Pub 1996. PMID: 9031603.
Book Chapters
- Filipowicz, A, Aballay, A, Singh, V. Cellular and Organismal Responses to Infections in Caenorhabditis elegans, 463-477, 2022.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified July 22, 2026