Dr. Dan Littman

Biography

Dan R. Littman is a Professor and the Helen L. Martin S. Kimmel Professor of Molecular Immunology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. He focuses on the molecular mechanisms that underlie T-lymphocyte development and its implications for cancer, immunology, metabolism, microbiology, and neuroimmunology. His research is centered on microbiota-regulated immunity and epigenetic regulation of T cell differentiation. Littman’s laboratory has pioneered studies on thymocytes, emphasizing the transcription factors and epigenetic programs that govern the specification of distinct T lymphocyte lineages in response to microbial challenges. He is known for identifying key nuclear receptors involved in the differentiation of Th17 cells, which are crucial for mucosal defense and in the pathology of inflammatory diseases. Through his research, Littman aims to uncover normal protective immune responses and the pathogenic mechanisms that lead to autoimmune diseases. His work integrates a deep understanding of the interplay between the immune system and the microbiome, providing insights into how commensal microbes influence T cell differentiation and immune responses in the intestinal regions.

Research Interests

Experience