Gerald Morris Lab

About the Lab

The Morris Laboratory studies T cell development and function, particularly in the setting of transplantation. These interests are linked through the relationship between T cell receptors (TCR), MHC (human ortholog HLA) molecules, and peptide antigens presented by MHC to TCR to direct T cell function. Our work spans basic biology, using cell culture and animal models to study thymopoiesis, homeostasis, and immune responses, to translational human studies in the setting of transplantation. We have recently expanded our interest to immunooncology, where concerns of antigen recognition and self-tolerance are essential to promote effective tumor immunotherapy while avoiding off-target effects. To examine these questions, our laboratory utilizes novel cutting-edge techniques including single-cell sequencing, retroviral gene expression systems, generation of novel genetically-manipulated cell lines and animals, and primary human cells for in vitro and in vivo models of T cell development and function in transplantation.

About Dr. Morris

Dr. Gerald P Morris, MD, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Pathology, Director of the Immunogenetics and Transplantation Laboratory, and Associate Licensed Director of Hospital Labs at the University of California San Diego. Dr. Morris completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan, MD and PhD degrees at Wayne State University, and Clinical Pathology residency and Clinical Histocompatibility fellowship training at Washington University. At Washington University, Dr. Morris performed post-doctoral research with Paul Allen PhD studying T cell alloreactivity. After completing training, Dr. Morris joined the faculty at UCSD where in addition to his clinical role, he also has a NIH-funded research program studying T cell receptor biology and function, particularly as related to transplantation and alloreactivity. In 2023, Dr. Morris was appointed as founding Director for the Center for Transplantation Science, an interdepartmental project to foster transplant-related research at UCSD. Dr. Morris is also highly involved in the research and clinical transplant communities outside of UCSD, including having served as the Chair of the ASHI Quality and Standards Committee and Directors’ Affairs committees, is a member of the CAP Histocompatibility and Identity Testing Committee, is the current Chair of the OPTN Histocompatibility Committee, a standing member of NIH ITA study section, and the Section Editor for the Human and Clinical Immunology section of The Journal of Immunology.