Glen Barber studies the field of innate immunity, which is important for sensing microbial infection and activating host defense countermeasures. His work has shown that these responses are essential for protecting us from disease, including cancer, but can also initiate inflammation if overstimulated.
His contributions include discovery of the cellular protein STING (stimulator of interferon genes) and elucidating how nucleic acids trigger cytokine production. These events are crucial for generating anti-tumor immunity. In parallel studies, Glen has also pioneered the use of viruses as cancer therapeutics.
Glen obtained his science degree at Portsmouth University his Ph.D at Porton Down and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. After training at the University of Washington, University of Tokyo and Emory University he moved to the University of Miami where he is presently Professor and Chair of the Department of Cell Biology and the Eugenia J. Dodsen Endowed Chair in Cancer Research at the Sylvester Cancer Center. Glen received the Seymour & Vivian Milstein Award for Excellence in Interferon and Cytokine Research in 2009 and the William B. Coley Award for Distinguished Research in Basic and Tumor Immunology in 2020.
Professional position
- Director, Center for Innate Immunity and Inflammation, Ohio State University
Subject groups
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Molecules of Life
Biochemistry and molecular biology, Cell biology (incl molecular cell biology), Molecular immunology, Molecular microbiology
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Cell Biology
Cellular and humoral immunology, General microbiology (incl bacteriology and virology), Genetics (excluding population genetics)
