Nancy Ruddle, PhD

Nancy Ruddle is known for her discovery and analysis of lymphotoxin, a protein produced by T cells that plays a role in the protective immune system and destroys tumor cells. She and researchers in her laboratory have engaged in research on the lymphotoxin/tumor necrosis factor family, their regulation and roles in lymphoid organ development, regulation of high endothelial venues and lymphatic vessels, and pathogenesis of viral and autoimmune disease. The more than 170 scientific articles Ruddle has authored or co-authored have explored the immunology of such diseases as leukemia, experimental allergic encephalomyelitis and Leishmania amazonensis infection, among others. She is particularly well known for her analysis of tertiary lymphoid organs, accumulations of lymphoid cells in autoimmunity, chronic infection, and cancer .