Assistant Professor, Molecular Biology

B.Sc., Winona State University

Ph.D., New York University

Maternal protection of offspring through milk is fundamental across mammals, yet the underlying immune mechanisms remain poorly understood. Breastmilk contains immune factors such as antibodies that not only defend against pathogens but also shape the infant’s gut immunity and influence lifelong health. However, what determines the immune composition of breastmilk and how it impacts infant intestinal immunity is still unclear. The Ramanan Lab studies the entero-mammary axis—the bidirectional communication between the gut and mammary gland—to understand how maternal immunity is transferred through milk. Using multi-omic approaches, the lab aims to uncover how immune cells and other signals from the gut influence maternal mammary gland and milk composition, and how these components protect the offspring from infections and autoimmune diseases.