Michael G. Constantinides, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Immunology & Microbiology
Scripps Research
Seminar Information
Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are predominantly located in barrier tissues where they rapidly respond to pathogens and commensals by recognizing microbial derivatives of riboflavin synthesis. Early-life exposure to these metabolites imprints the abundance of MAIT cells within tissues, which can be inhibited by antibiotic use during this period. Reduction of MAIT cells impairs wound healing and renders mice more susceptible to pneumonia. Administration of a riboflavin-synthesizing probiotic during antibiotic use is sufficient to restore MAIT cell development and immunity. Our work demonstrates that transient depletion of riboflavin-synthesizing commensals in early life can adversely affect immunity, necessitating the development of effective probiotics.
Dr. Constantinides received his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago, where he studied transcriptional regulation of innate lymphocytes in the laboratory of Dr. Albert Bendelac. He subsequently completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the National Institutes of Health in the laboratory of Dr. Yasmine Belkaid, where he studied how the microbiome influences T cell development and function. In 2020, Dr. Constantinides established his laboratory at Scripps Research to determine how innate-like T cells recognize microbes and whether these responses modulate tissue immunity. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 2025 and has been recognized with an NIAID Career Transition Award, NIGMS MIRA, and the Scripps Research Outstanding Mentor Award. Outside of the lab, Dr. Constantinides enjoys participating in scientific outreach and exploring the outdoors with his dogs.