Ana Pinheiro

Immunoglobulins (Ig) are a key component of the vertebrate immune system. These bifunctional molecules operate as a critical part of the immune response by recognizing antigens and recruiting the effector functions that eliminate the pathogen. I am interested in studying the relevance of natural selection in shaping the genetic basis of the antibody repertoire as increasing data suggests the VH genes to be under selective pressure. Mammal species have different Ig systems, with differing numbers of Ig subclasses, and the leporids Ig system is particularly complex. I am also very interested in investigating how the leporids immune system adapted to the extreme number of IgA copies.