Manish J. Butte, M.D. Ph.D.
- E. Richard Stiehm Endowed Professor, Pediatrics
- Professor, Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics
- Professor, Human Genetics
- Division Chief, Pediatric Immunology, Allergy and Rheumatology
- Co-Director, California Center for Rare Diseases at UCLA
Research Areas
Manish J. Butte, M.D., Ph.D., investigates how T cells shape immune responses in infections, autoimmunity, vaccines, metabolism and cancer. As a physician-scientist, his research bridges fundamental immunology with clinical application, focusing on improving diagnostic strategies and developing new targeted therapies for patients with rare immune diseases.
In his clinical practice, Butte focuses on rare genetic immune diseases — also known as primary immunodeficiencies or inborn errors of immunity — and the resulting infections, autoimmune diseases, and severe inflammation in children and adults. The challenges he encounters in patient care drive his research, where he investigates the genetic, molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying immune dysfunction to develop targeted therapies.
Butte investigates how T cells respond to metabolic and mechanical signals, focusing on mechanosensing pathways that influence immune activity. By studying these processes, he aims to develop strategies to enhance vaccine responses, regulate autoimmunity and improve cancer immunotherapy.
He also works to improve vaccine development, advance diagnostics for food allergy and explore the role of metabolism in immune function. Using cutting-edge technologies like genetic sequencing, advanced microscopy and bioengineering, Butte seeks to translate basic scientific discoveries into clinical applications that improve outcomes for his patients.
Research Projects
- Diagnosing and characterizing new, rare immune diseases to develop targeted therapies
- Investigating how T cells White blood cells that naturally fight against disease-causing invaders using specialized molecules, called receptors, on their cell surface. The receptors help T cells seek out and destroy virus-infected cells or cancer cells. T cells White blood cells that naturally fight against disease-causing invaders using specialized molecules, called receptors, on their cell surface. The receptors help T cells seek out and destroy virus-infected cells or cancer cells. regulate immune responses in infections, autoimmunity and inflammation The body’s natural response to an injury or infection that occurs when an immune response is triggered to promote healing. However, chronic inflammation — inflammation that happens even when there’s no injury or invader — is an abnormal immune response. Over time, chronic inflammation can damage healthy cells, tissues and organs and lead to diseases such as cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and autoimmune diseases. inflammation The body’s natural response to an injury or infection that occurs when an immune response is triggered to promote healing. However, chronic inflammation — inflammation that happens even when there’s no injury or invader — is an abnormal immune response. Over time, chronic inflammation can damage healthy cells, tissues and organs and lead to diseases such as cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and autoimmune diseases.
- Developing novel vaccine strategies to combat emerging infectious diseases
- Engineering T cells to enhance their ability to fight cancer
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Medical Board Certifications
- Allergy and Immunology, American Board of Allergy and Immunology, 2005
- Pediatrics, American Board of Pediatrics, 2004
Fellowships
- Allergy and Immunology, Boston Children's Hospital, 2006
- Immunology and Chemistry, Harvard Medical School, 2008
Residency
- Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 2003
Degrees
- Ph.D., Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, 2000
- M.D., Brown University School of Medicine, 1996
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