Graduate Program in Physiology & Integrative Biology

Dr. Kaelber invents improved viral gene therapy vectors through structure-based engineering and discovers mechanisms of virus gene delivery through cutting-edge cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM) methods, including in situ cryo-electron tomography. He is also interested in reconstructing the ancient evolutionary history of viruses and in methods development for cryoEM. In general, his lab focuses on leveraging structural and nanoimaging methods to open problems in virology, with particular focus on ssDNA and other small viruses. He also serves are director of the Rutgers CryoEM & Nanoimaging Facility and is the 3DEM Advisor to the RCSB Protein Data Bank.

Publications

NCBI Bibliography

Dr. Xiao and his team focus on multiple research interests in female reproductive biology and toxicology, including (1) ovarian impacts of environmental contaminants and clinical drugs; (2) drug development of non-hormonal female contraception and fertoprotectant, and (3) engineering female reproduction-on-chip. These projects are supported by NIEHS, NICHD, DOD, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Publications

NCBI Bibliography

Our research seeks to uncover how tissue-resident lymphocytes and their surrounding tissue niches shape organ health and drive chronic disease in the lung and brain. Unlike circulating immune cells that continuously traffic through the bloodstream, tissue-resident innate and innate-like lymphocytes establish long-term residence within non-lymphoid organs, where they are uniquely positioned to sense local cues and rapidly respond to changes in their environment. By continuously communicating with stromal and structural cells and releasing effector molecules, these immune cells can reshape their local microenvironment and profoundly influence tissue homeostasis and organ function.

Our lab has uncovered novel immune–stromal crosstalk in asthma and reveal dynamic interactions among innate lymphoid cells, innate-like T cells, and adaptive lymphocytes. We have also identified ectopic plasma cell niches sustained by disease-associated mural cells and fibroblasts, highlighting how pathological tissue niches can actively organize and sustain chronic immune responses. In addition, we have pioneered studies of innate and innate-like lymphocytes at the brain barriers, revealing previously unrecognized immune populations and mechanisms at the interface between the immune system and the central nervous system.

Our overarching goal is to map and decode the cellular ecosystems that connect immunity, tissue structure, and organ function. By defining how stromal and immune cells communicate within specialized tissue niches, we aim to uncover fundamental mechanisms governing tissue homeostasis, fibrosis, and chronic inflammation—and ultimately identify new therapeutic opportunities for severe asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, and neurodegeneration.

Current research directions include:

• Decoding lung-resident lymphocytes in pulmonary disorders: defining how tissue-resident innate and innate-like lymphocytes and their stromal niches sustain persistent inflammation, with a particular focus on steroid-resistant severe asthma.
• Uncovering immune mechanisms at the brain barriers: determining how brain-associated innate and innate-like lymphocytes communicate with the neural and vascular environment to regulate cognitive function and contribute to neurodegeneration.
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Publications