Dr. Lewinsohn's laboratory's research interest is in TB immunology. The core research question has been that of how the immune system can detect those cells harboring the intracellular bacterium, with a focus the role of CD8+ T cells in controlling infection. The laboratory has focused novel types of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb)-specific CD8+ T cells that are restricted by the monomorphic (innate) HLA molecules such as HLA-E and MR1, in the characterization of those antigens presented in the context of infection with Mtb, and in the mechanisms by which those antigens are processed and presented. The laboratory is particularly interested in the role of lung-resident, Mtb-reactive T cells.