Fellows Directory
Michael Dustin
Credit: Fisher Studios
Professor Michael Dustin FRS
Fellow
Elected: 2023
Biography
Professor Dustin is Kennedy Trust Professor of Molecular Immunology at the University of Oxford and Director of Research of the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology. He has a B.A. in Biology from Boston University and a Ph.D. in Cell and Developmental Biology from Harvard University. His interests are focused on cell-cell synapsis in the immune system. His early work revealed the dynamics of the immunological synapse using supported lipid bilayers. In mid-career he explored in vivo dynamics of the immune response using two-photon laser scanning microscopy. Work over the last 10 years has explored the nanoscale organization of the immunological synapse leading to a fundamental description of the supramolecular assemblies that make up the immunological synapse. Surprising findings included synaptic ectosomes involved in T cell help and supramolecular attack particles that mediate cytotoxicity- both of which are found in the centre of the immunological synapse. Prof Dustin received a Presidential Early Career Award in Science and Engineering and is a member of EMBO and the National Academy of Sciences of the United States.
Professional positions
Director of Research, Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford
Kennedy Trust Professor of Molecular Immunology, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Science, University of Oxford
Interest and expertise
Subject groups
- Biochemistry and molecular cell biology
- Biochemistry and molecular biology, Biophysics and structural biology, Cell biology (incl molecular cell biology), Molecular immunology
Keywords
Immunological synapse, receptors, cell adhesion, microscopy, tomography