Jeffrey C. Flynn
     Graduate student
     Adviser: Yi-chi M. Kong
     Degree: Ph.D., 1991
     Title of thesis: The contribution of L3T4+ and Lyt–2+ T cells in the           pathogenesis and suppression of experimental autoimmune           thyroiditis

Contact information (as of 12/1/03):
     Research Scientist
     Department of Immunology and Microbiology
     Wayne State University School of Medicine
     540 E. Canfield Ave.
     Detroit, MI 48201
                                                                  Ph: (313) 577-1589
                                                                  Fax: (313) 577-1155
                                                                  Work email: jflynn@med.wayne.edu
                                                                  Home email: jcf0513@aol.com

Current activity: I am back working with Dr. Kong in our mouse model of experimental autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT). I am working with HLA-D transgenic mice, which are devoid of endogenous class II molecules, to examine which human class II genes support EAT. We are doing this on various mouse backgrounds, including the nonobese diabetic (NOD) strain. Knowing that DR3+ mice are susceptible to disease, we have begun to identify pathogenic thyroglobulin peptides in these mice. We have also used these mice to develop an animal model of Graves' disease, by injecting thyroid stimulating hormone receptor DNA along with DNAs from different cytokines.
In our EAT model with CBA/J mice, I have isolated mouse thyroglobulin- and T4(2553)-reactive T cell hybridomas. We hope to generate T cell receptor transgenic mice from the latter hybridomas to eventually be able to address pathogenic and suppressor function of T cells with a known antigen reactivity.

Personal: I am married to Cheryl Aslakson (I/M alum, 1991), and we have 2 daughters (Amelia, Rebecca). After doing post-docs in Maine, Ohio and two in Illinois, I am back in Michigan. Now that I am back, it is easier to keep in touch with other I/M alumni as I continue to pursue my outdoor interests, such as golf and hunting. In fact, Mike Shaw, Nick Lukacs and I have continued with a softball team, which plays in Canton (centrally located between Ann Arbor and Detroit).