Brian Poole

Research Interests

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a common, debilitating autoimmune disease in which components of the body’s own cells are targeted and attacked by the immune system. The origins of the disease are still unclear, but it is known that genetic, environmental, and hormonal factors are all involved in causing lupus. We are studying the interactions of genetic risk factor and the putative environmental factor Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Considerable evidence indicates that EBV infection is associated with lupus. The major question with this finding is that nearly everyone has been infected with EBV, while very few of those people will go on to develop lupus. The genetic background of the person may play a key role in deciding the outcome of the infection.

Although there is a strong genetic component to lupus, not much is known about how genes influence the development of the disease. We are focusing on lupus-associated variations in the IRF5 gene. The IRF5 protein is a key intermediary in the response to viral infection, and interacts with EBV during the course of the EBV infection. We hypothesize that the modifica¬tions to the IRF5 gene associated with lupus cause aberrant activation of EBV and heightened response to EBV infection, potentially leading to the altered immune response to EBV seen in lupus patients and people at risk for lupus.

Through studying these interactions, we hope to identify markers for people who are at high risk for lupus, and early indicators that autoimmunity is developing. Early intervention in the disease has shown promise in slowing its effects.

Honors and Awards

• Phi Kappa Phi Election, Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society (2018 - Present)
• Alcuin Fellow, BYU Honors (2017 - 2019)
• College Outstanding Teaching Award, College of Life Sciences (2018 - 2018)
• Research Recognition Award, Lupus Foundation of America-Utah Chapter (2017 - 2017)
• Fulbright Scholar, Fulbright Organization (2016 - 2016)

Memberships

• American College of Rheumatology (2012 - Present)

Professional Citizenship

• Grant Proposal Reviewer, External, Fulbright Organization (2019 - Present)
• Committee/Council Chair, Lupus Foundation of America, Utah Chapter (2016 - 2019)
• Grant Proposal Reviewer, External, CDRPM/Department of Defense (2019 - 2019)

Courses Taught

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Publications

Kendall Pogue Jamie L Jensen Carter K. Stancil Daniel G. Ferguson Savannah J. Hughes Emily J. Mello Ryan Burgess Bradford K Berges Abraham Quaye Brian Douglas Poole Benjamin Walter Abbott John M Chaston Jonas Bush Chantel D Sloan Brian Douglas Poole Mitchell Greenhalgh S. Isaac St. Clair Haley Moon Jacob E Gudmundsen Sarah Gottfredson Isabella M. Errigo Skyler Lemmon Deborah K. Johnson Emily J. Mello Trent D. Walker Spencer J. Hood Jamie L Jensen Brian Douglas Poole Margarida Figueiredo-Braga Caleb Cornaby Alice Cortez Miguel Bernardes Georgina Terroso Marta Figueiredo Cristina Mesquita Lucia Costa Brian Douglas Poole Margarida Figueiredo-Braga Caleb Cornaby Alice Cortez Miguel Bernardes Georgina Terroso Marta Figueiredo Cristina Mesquita Lucia Costa Brian Douglas Poole Margarida Figueiredo-Braga Caleb Cornaby Mario Bernardes Marta Figueiredo Cristina Mesquita Lucia Costa Brian Douglas Poole Caleb Cornaby Jilian L. Jafek Cameron Birrell Vera Mayhew Lauren Syndergaard Jeffrey Mella Wesley Cheney Brian Douglas Poole Caleb Cornaby Anne Tanner Eric W Stutz Brian Douglas Poole Bradford K Berges Caleb Cornaby Lauren Gibbons Vera Mayhew Chad S. Sloan Andrew Welling Brian Douglas Poole Daniel N. Clark R. Daniel Read Vera Mayhew Stephen C. Petersen Lance A. Stutz Lissenya B. Argueta Rodney E. Till Sean M. Bergsten Brandon S. Robinson Douglas G. Baumann J. Casey Heap Brian Douglas Poole Daniel N. Clark R. D. Read Vera Mayhew Stephen C. Petersen Lissenya B. Argueta Lance A. Stutz Rodney E. Till Sean M. Bergsten Brandon S. Robinson Douglas G. Baumann J. C. Heap Brian Douglas Poole Daniel N. Clark Jillian L. Markham Chad S. Sloan Brian Douglas Poole Brian Douglas Poole Timothy Neiwold George Tsokos Daniel N Clark Brian Douglas Poole Joel Guthridge Daniel N. Clark Amanda Templeton Nicolas Dominguez Rufei Lu Gabriel Vidal Jennifer A. Kelley Kenneth Kauffman John B. Harley Patrick Gaffney Judith A. James Brian Douglas Poole Daniel N. Clark Brian Douglas Poole Tyler J. Hedman Daniel V. Hammond Daniel S. Catts Amanda Stewart F Brent Johnson Brian Douglas Poole Timothy B. Niewold George C. Tsokos Charles S. Via

Presentations