Wale O. Bamidele, Ph.D.

Location

Contact

SUMMARY

The research interests of Adebowale (Wale) O. Bamidele, Ph.D., center on better understanding the role of CD4 T lymphocytes in the initiation and progression of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). How nutrient metabolism governs the function of CD4 T lymphocytes to drive disease, mainly Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, is of interest given its therapeutic significance to disease treatment.

Dr. Bamidele also investigates the mechanisms of resistance to biologics, considering that the refractory nature of this disease is a major clinical concern. Mechanisms being currently investigated include metabolic cues and cell-to-cell interactions that redundantly reinvigorate pathogenic CD4 T lymphocyte expansion and function.

Focus areas

• Metabolic control of regulatory T cell function by gastrointestinal cues. Dr. Bamidele leads a team of researchers to identify events leading to regulatory T cell dysfunction in IBD. To this end, on the bench and in experimental animal models mimicking human disease, several targets responsible for regulatory T cell susceptibilities are being investigated.
• CD4 T helper cell metabolism and immune response. Dr. Bamidele leads an investigation into inflammatory T helper lymphocyte biology, and its role in refractory IBD. This line of research focuses on identifying and validating the molecular metabolic basis of T helper cell function.
• Gut-liver axis in the pathogenesis of immune-mediated disorders. In collaboration with Petra Hirsova, Pharm.D., Ph.D., Dr. Bamidele and his research team are developing cellular and animal models that will help elucidate how loss of gastrointestinal barrier integrity exacerbates liver diseases, specifically nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

Professional highlights

• Member, American Association for Immunologists, 2021-present
• Member, American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, 2021-present
• Member, Crohn's & Colitis Foundation, 2021-present
• Career Development Award, Mayo Clinic Center for Biomedical Discovery, 2021
• Member, American Society for Cell Biology, 2020-present
• Member, American Gastroenterological Association, 2017-present
• Member, American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2017-present