William R. Green

William R. Green serves as Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at the Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, where he has maintained an active research program since 1983. His laboratory focuses on immune responses to viral infections, particularly examining the complex interactions between retroviruses and the host immune system using murine models.

Education:

• Ph.D. from Case Western Reserve University (1977)
• B.S. from University of Michigan (1972)

Dr. Green's research program has evolved significantly over his career, initially focusing on T cell immune responses to viral diseases and cell-mediated immunity to mouse retroviruses that cause leukemia or immunodeficiency. His current work centers on myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and their critical role in retroviral pathogenesis, particularly in the LP-BM5 murine retroviral model that causes immunodeficiency analogous to AIDS. His laboratory investigates how MDSCs suppress both T and B cell responses during viral infection and explores novel therapeutic approaches to counteract this immunosuppression.

Analysis of his recent publications (2015-2024) reveals a consistent focus on the mechanisms by which myeloid-derived suppressor cells modulate immune responses during retroviral infections. His work spans multiple dimensions of this phenomenon, examining both monocytic and granulocytic MDSC subsets, their differential effects on T versus B cell responses, and potential therapeutic interventions targeting these cells. The research employs sophisticated immunological techniques to characterize cellular phenotypes, functional responses, and molecular pathways involved in viral immunopathogenesis.

Scientific Recognition:

• NIH postdoctoral fellowship

Dr. Green has mentored numerous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows throughout his career, including current students Megan O'Connor and Jessica Rastad who are investigating innate immune mechanisms in viral pathogenesis and MDSC-mediated immune suppression, respectively. His laboratory has received continuous funding to support research on retroviral immunology and host-pathogen interactions. The lab team includes senior research assistant Kathy Green who has contributed significantly to publications over many years.

Based in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Geisel School of Medicine, Dr. Green's laboratory maintains a collaborative research environment that bridges basic immunology with translational applications. The lab utilizes the LP-BM5 murine retroviral model system to investigate fundamental questions about immune suppression during chronic viral infections, with implications for understanding HIV pathogenesis and developing novel immunotherapeutic approaches.