Krystina Hess

Title: Krystina Hess: Pioneering Innovations in Immune Tolerance

Introduction

Krystina Hess is an accomplished inventor based in Rockville, MD (US). She has made significant contributions to the field of immunology, particularly in the area of autoimmune disorders. Her innovative work focuses on harnessing quantum dots to study and promote immune tolerance.

Latest Patents

Krystina Hess holds a patent titled "Harnessing quantum dots to study, visualize, and promote immune tolerance." This patent provides compositions and methods for promoting tolerance to autoimmune antigens. The compositions include quantum dots (QDs) associated with autoimmune peptide antigens. The research demonstrates that QDs can generate immunological tolerance by controlling the density of self-antigen on the QDs. Peptide-QDs rapidly concentrate in draining lymph nodes and co-localize with macrophages that express scavenger receptors involved in tolerance. Treatment with peptide-QDs has been shown to reduce disease incidence by ten-fold. The degree of tolerance and the expansion of regulatory T cells correlate with the density of myelin molecules presented on QDs. Higher numbers of tolerogenic particles displaying lower levels of self-peptide are more effective for inducing tolerance than fewer particles with higher densities of peptide. This disclosure is relevant for promoting tolerance to antigens involved in various autoimmune disorders.

Career Highlights

Throughout her career, Krystina has worked with notable institutions, including the University System of Maryland and the United States Navy. Her work has been instrumental in advancing the understanding of immune tolerance and its applications in treating autoimmune diseases.

Collaborations

Krystina has collaborated with esteemed colleagues such as Christopher M Jewell and Igor L Medintz. These collaborations have further enriched her research and contributed to the development of innovative solutions in her field.

Conclusion

Krystina Hess is a trailblazer in the realm of immunology, with her groundbreaking patent and collaborative efforts paving the way for advancements in autoimmune disorder treatments. Her work exemplifies the potential of innovative research to transform medical science and improve patient outcomes.