Research

Our laboratory uses in vivo models to investigate anti-tumoral and anti-viral immune responses and exploits them to uncover novel immune boosting therapies. We are interested in 3 main research areas:

1. Translational therapeutic onco-immunology

The pre-clinical translational aims of our research focus on discovering novel immunomodulatory repurposing candidates that reduce the deleterious effects of cancer and chronic viral infections. For example, using an ex vivo screening strategy where T cells were co-cultured with tumor cells, we identified 5-Nonyloxytryptamine (5-NL), a serotonin agonist, as increasing the ability of T cells to target tumor cells through induction of MHC-I expression. Ultimately, we aim to boost the body’s immune system to counteract the effects of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) which often impedes immunotherapeutic treatment and supports tumor progression. Several other immunomodulating anti-viral and anti-tumoral candidates are being tested in our pipeline.4

2. Infection and trained immunity

Further integral to our work is dissecting how vaccine-induced central immune training modulates the tumor microenvironment (TME) and the key components shaping its plasticity including myeloid infiltrating immune cells. Our work focuses on poorly immunogenic tumors including childhood leukemia due to the integral role that the untrained immune system plays in its initiation. Integral to this work is the development of in vivo models testing the role specific metabolic or epigenetic regulators involved in myeloid cell plasticity and ability in contributing to TME immunosuppression.

3. Regulators of viral immunity

Using in vivo models of hosts characterized by variable levels of immunodeficiency, we investigate the mechanisms governing their susceptibility to chronic viral infections. Intertwined with the vaccine-induced central immune training strategies, we aim to uncover novel prophylactic or interventional disease alleviating strategies.