Rance Berg

Rance Berg is a Professor in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Genetics at the University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC), within the College of Biomedical and Translational Sciences. His research focuses on understanding immune responses to pathogenic microorganisms, particularly Listeria monocytogenes, and the roles of immune cells such as T cells, NK cells, neutrophils, and macrophages. He investigates cytokine/chemokine networks, oxidative stress, and redox regulation in pathogen clearance.

• Education:
  • BS in Biology, DePaul University
  • PhD in Microbiology & Immunology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center
  • Post-doctoral Fellowship in Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Research Interests: Berg’s work centers on dissecting immune effector cell dynamics, including neutrophil function, T cell biology, and cytokine networks. His lab explores how oxidative stress and enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD) influence immune responses. Recent studies focus on Borrelia burgdorferi’s immune evasion and nanoparticle-based strategies for macrophage reprogramming.

Publications Trends: His recent articles emphasize Borrelia’s suppression of host immunity, neutrophil efficacy against Listeria monocytogenes, and mitochondrial unfolded protein responses. He has also published on engineered nanoparticles for cancer immunotherapy and SOD’s role in pathogen containment.

• Grants & Projects:
  • PI for “Mechanisms of host protection via mitochondrial unfolded protein response” (University of Texas at Arlington)
  • Co-Investigator in “HSC Scholars in Cancer Research” (Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas)
  • PI for studies on ecSOD’s effects on neutrophils and Listeria infection (American Association of Immunologists, UNTHSC)

Labs & Teams: His lab is part of UNTHSC’s Biomedical and Translational Sciences initiatives, collaborating on immunology, pathogen biology, and redox biology projects.