The protective immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis requires tight regulation in order to prevent the development of pathological consequences to the host. Our lab is focused in defining the mechanisms that regulate the balance between protection and pathology following M. tuberculosis infection, both during the innate and chronic phases of the infection. We use advanced experimental models to interrogate immune mediators and pathways with impact in the development, activation, and function of immune cells, particularly lymphocytes. One of our pressing questions is to determine how the inflamed lung environment modulates the kinetics of accumulation and effector function of CD4 T cells following M. tuberculosis infection. We are also interested in defining how the metabolic activity and immunogenetics of lung-resident cells, including macrophages and innate lymphocytes, impact the initiation and coordination of protective CD4 T cell responses and development of the granuloma. Our overarching goal is to contribute to the development of novel interventions against tuberculosis, particularly in the realm of vaccination and immunotherapy.