Laura Theresa Donlin, MA, PhD

Overview

The Donlin lab aims to increase understanding of the human immune system by analyzing patient samples with high-dimensional molecular and genomic technologies. Our projects are designed around clinical unmet needs in autoimmune and musculoskeletal disorders.

Our multidisciplinary team based at the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) and Weill Cornell Medicine also participates in two consortia focused on mechanisms of disease: the NIH-industry sponsored Accelerating Medicines Partnership (AMP) and the NIHGRI Impact of Genomic Variation on Function (IGVF).

Ongoing projects include:

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) – molecular patterns and optimized treatment
Immune checkpoint inhibitor arthritis (ICI-arthritis) – causes of autoimmune disease
Autoimmune muscle disease
Musculoskeletal tumors

Programs of Study

Physiology, Biophysics & Systems Biology
Immunology & Microbial Pathogenesis

Highlights

1
The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume · 2021
AVAlberto Vittorio Carli PKPeter Keyes Sculco LBLionel B Ivashkiv SMSusan Marion Goodman+10 more →LTLaura Theresa Donlin
PMID: 34293751DOISenior author32 citations

Publications

Funding

4 View NIH portfolio on RePORTER ↗

Active

2 grants

PI
Macrophages in human autoimmune tissue pathology
NIAID · 2020–2031 · via NIH RePORTER
R01AI148435-06A1
PI
AIM-for-RA
NIAMS · 2022–2026 · via NIH RePORTER
UC2AR081025-05

Completed grants (2)

PI
Macrophage and Fibroblast Crosstalk in the RA Synovium
NIAMS · 2014–2019 · via NIH RePORTER
K01AR066063-05
PI
Setdb2 methyltransferase in B cell differentiation
NIAID · 2006–2013 · via NIH RePORTER
F32AI066674-03

Mentoring

5 All publications with mentees →

IM
Ian Mantel
Immunology & Microbial Pathogenesis (PhD) · Class of 2026
- SPP1^hi macrophages in fibrin niches promote hyperplastic tissue remodeling in rheumatoid arthritis synovium.
  Science translational medicine · 2026
- Disrupting the RNA polymerase II transcription cycle through CDK7 inhibition ameliorates inflammatory arthritis.
  Science translational medicine · 2024
- Deconstruction of rheumatoid arthritis synovium defines inflammatory subtypes.
  Nature · 2023
View all 4 →
LS
Lorien Shakib
Physiology, Biophysics & Systems Biology (PhD) · Class of 2024
- Periprosthetic Joint Infection in Patients With Inflammatory Arthritis: Optimal Tests to Differentiate From Flares.
  Journal of clinical rheumatology : practical reports on rheumatic & musculoskeletal diseases · 2024
- Clonally expanded CD38^hi cytotoxic CD8 T cells define the T cell infiltrate in checkpoint inhibitor-associated arthritis.
  Science immunology · 2023
- IFN-γ and TNF-α drive a CXCL10+ CCL2+ macrophage phenotype expanded in severe COVID-19 lungs and inflammatory diseases with tissue inflammation.
  Genome medicine · 2021
View all 4 →
AS
Anvita Singaraju
Immunology & Microbial Pathogenesis (PhD) · Class of 2024
- Opposing regulation of TNF responses by IFN-γ and a PGE2-cAMP axis that is apparent in rheumatoid and immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced arthritis human IL-1β+ macrophages.
  eLife · 2025
- Clonally expanded CD38^hi cytotoxic CD8 T cells define the T cell infiltrate in checkpoint inhibitor-associated arthritis.
  Science immunology · 2023
View all 2 →
FF
Fa’alataitaua Fitisemanu
Physiology, Biophysics & Systems Biology (PhD)
JG
Juan Garcia-Medina
Physiology, Biophysics & Systems Biology (PhD)