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Dr. Mario Roederer

Dr. Mario Roederer is the Chief of the ImmunoTechnology Section in the Laboratory of Immunology at the VRC. Dr. Roederer is an accomplished scientist with expertise in using flow cytometry to identify and characterize T-cell subsets and determine their role in pathogenesis of human disease. He has made important discoveries about the heterogeneity of T-cells in the body, particularly with respect to the different abilities to support HIV infection, key differences in their role in the progression of HIV disease, and the broad spectrum of potential functions that they can generate in response to vaccination or infection. His experience and knowledge of human immunology and flow cytometry are key components in the understanding of immune responses to vaccines in humans and animal models.

Dr. Roederer's laboratory continues research into the complexity of the human immune system. His research focuses on four primary areas: isolation and functional characterization of T-cell subsets; the roles of these subsets in supporting HIV infection and during progression of HIV disease; the molecular and cellular biology of antigen-specific immunity; and the correlation of mucosal and central immune responses during acute and chronic viral infection. Information obtained from these studies have been essential in driving the VRC program for evaluating vaccine approaches, particular for HIV.

Besides maintaining a laboratory, Dr. Roederer directs the Flow Cytometry Core facility at the VRC. This facility is widely considered to be the most advanced in the world, and supports the flow cytometric needs of VRC researchers as well as the VRC clinical vaccine trials. Dr. Roederer's pioneering work to develop advanced multicolor cytometry has continued at the VRC; the Core now has two analyzers capable of 17-color analysis, and high-speed sorters capable of 14-color analysis. This technology provides an unequalled ability to analyze the immune system and its functions.

Prior to his appointment to the VRC, Dr. Roederer conducted research at the University of California, San Francisco, where he was an adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Stomatology. He received his Ph.D. in biological sciences from Carnegie Mellon, and conducted postdoctoral research in immunology at Stanford University.

Dr. Roederer has co-authored numerous publications, including research articles, reviews, and book chapters, co-edited a book on flow cytometry, was awarded four patents, and serves as the associate editor for the journal Cytometry as well as for the Encyclopedia of Human Biology. He is an ad hoc reviewer for many scientific journals, including Nature Medicine, Journal of Clinical Investigation, and Journal of Immunology, co-edited Flow Cytometry (4th edition), and co-edited the "Flow Cytometry and Sorting" section in the Handbook of Experimental Immunology 5th edition).