Dr. Jim Kaufman

Biography

Jim Kaufman has been working on aspects of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) for 50 years, attempting to understand the evolution of MHC by studying animals more than humans, particularly in chickens. He worked at Harvard University with Jack Strominger as a PhD student, later held an independent position at the Institute of Animal Health, and served as a Professor of Comparative Immunogenetics at the University of Edinburgh. Currently, he is the C.N.H. Long Professor of Immunobiology at Yale University. His research group focuses on genetics, genomics, biochemistry, cellular immunology, infection studies, and population genetics to understand the structure, function, and evolution of immunity. The research includes studying species such as chickens, passerine birds, Tasmanian devils, rabbits, and bats, focusing on T cell receptors and natural killer receptors. His interest in the evolution of immunity spans a broad range of animals and has notably centered on MHC and its implications for genomic organization and immune function. Understanding the complex interplay and evolution of immune functionalities remains a major thrust of his lab's work.

Research Interests