Christopher Scharer PhD
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology
Associate Professor
- (404) 727-7799
- cdschar@emory.edu
- My NCBI
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Emory University School of Medicine
Microbiology and Immunology, Emory Integrated Genomics Core
1510 Clifton Rd., Room 3035 RRC
Overview
During pathogenic challenge immune cells dramatically reprogram their expressed genes and differentiate into cell types that clear infections and provide long lasting protection from future encounters. I study the epigenetic and genetic processes that regulate the molecular programming of immune cells and provide mechanisms to maintain new cell fates. I use a combination of traditional genetics, molecular and cellular biology, and sophisticated next-gen sequencing assays to study the dynamic epigenetic processes that regulate immune system function. Currently, my projects use mouse models to understand how B cells differentiate into antibody secreting plasma cells following both T cell independent and dependent stimuli. These mouse projects are coupled to human autoimmunity studies aiming to identify epigenetic factors that contribute to autoimmune diseases, such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). Overall my goal is to identify biomarkers of normal and diseased immune cell differentiation for vaccine and therapeutic purposes.
Research:
Epigenetic and Genetic controls of the Functional Immune System
Academic Appointment
- Associate Professor, Microbiology & Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine
Research
Publications
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Transcription factor T-bet regulates the maintenance and differentiation potential of lymph node and lung effector memory B cell subsets.
Immunity Volume: 58 Page(s): 1706 - 1724.e6
07/08/2025 Authors: Risley CA; Schultz MD; Allie SR; Liu S; Peel JN; Nellore A; Fucile CF; Scharer CD; Boss JM; Randall TD -
G9a controls plasma cell differentiation through FOXO1 and ETS1 binding site regulatory networks.
J Immunol
06/23/2025 Authors: George-Alexander L-EMM; Roy R; Kania AK; Hicks SL; Gupta M; Scharer CD; Boss JM -
Murine modeling of menstruation identifies immune correlates of protection during Chlamydia muridarum challenge.
PLoS Pathog Volume: 21 Page(s): e1012276
06/01/2025 Authors: Lawrence LA; Williams ME; Vidal P; Varughese RS; Li Z-RT; Chen TD; Roy MA; Tuske SC; Lowen AC; Scharer CD -
The Microbial Metabolite -Valerobetaine Strengthens the Gut Epithelial Barrier.
Am J Pathol Volume: 195 Page(s): 1109 - 1123
06/01/2025 Authors: Askew LC; Gacasan CA; Barbian ME; Weinberg J; Luo L; Robinson BS; Jones DP; Scharer CD; Jones RM -
EZH2 coordinates memory B-cell programming and recall responses.
J Immunol Volume: 214 Page(s): 947 - 957
05/01/2025 Authors: Wiggins KJ; Williams ME; Hicks SL; Padilla-Quirarte HO; Akther J; Randall TD; Boss JM; Scharer CD -
MHCII reduction is insufficient to protect mice from alpha-synuclein-induced degeneration and the Parkinson's HLA locus exhibits epigenetic regulation.
Sci Rep Volume: 15 Page(s): 13705
04/21/2025 Authors: Kline EM; Jernigan JE; Scharer CD; Maurer J; Hicks SL; Herrick MK; Wallings RL; Kelly SD; Chang J; Menees KB -
Fgl2 regulates FcRIIB+CD8+ T cell responses during infection.
JCI Insight Volume: 10
04/08/2025 Authors: Morris AB; Adelman MW; Bennion KB; Martinez CD; McCook K-M; Woodworth MH; Langelier CR; Rouphael N; Scharer CD; Maier CL -
An early precursor CD8+ T cell that adapts to acute or chronic viral infection.
Nature Volume: 640 Page(s): 772 - 781
04/01/2025 Authors: McManus DT; Valanparambil RM; Medina CB; Scharer CD; McGuire DJ; Sobierajska E; Hu Y; Chang DY; Wieland A; Lee J -
MHCII reduction is insufficient to protect mice from alpha-synuclein-induced degeneration and the Parkinson's HLA locus exhibits epigenetic regulation.
bioRxiv
03/04/2025 Authors: Kline EM; Jernigan JE; Scharer CD; Maurer J; Hicks Sl S; Herrick M MK; Wallings RL; Kelly SD; Chang J; Menees KB -
Human immune organoids to decode B cell response in healthy donors and patients with lymphoma.
Nat Mater Volume: 24 Page(s): 297 - 311
02/01/2025 Authors: Zhong Z; Quiones-Prez M; Dai Z; Juarez VM; Bhatia E; Carlson CR; Shah SB; Patel A; Fang Z; Hu T