Dr. Pauline Johnson has been featured in a month-long campaign by the Canadian Society for Immunology for her significant contributions to advancing knowledge of the structure, function and regulation of CD45.
A type I transmembrane protein present in various isoforms on all differentiated hematopoietic cells except erythrocytes and plasma cells, CD45 is an essential regulator of T- and B-cell antigen receptor signaling. Dr. Johnson’s work on CD44, a cell surface adhesion receptor highly expressed in many cancers is even more significant, according to Dr. Paul Ruffel, a researcher at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute.
Dr. Johnson, a professor in UBC’s Department of Microbiology and Immunology, was nominated for inclusion in the campaign by the CSI’s trainee engagement committee.
Today, Dr. Johnson’s research focuses on the role of macrophages and hyaluronan during inflammation, infection and cancer in the lung. She is a past recipient of the Women in Science Award from the Minerva Foundation of BC, among many other recognitions of her scientific excellence.