Research Areas

Our laboratory studies the pathogenic mechanisms in immune-mediated diseases. We are particularly interested in T lymphocyte responses in autoimmune diseases and cancer. In autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, aberrant activation of T lymphocytes leads to their attack of the central nervous system (CNS). Very complicated mechanisms are involved in the disease process, we are mainly focusing on the investigation of the pathological events that leads to T cell generation, activation and invasion of the CNS using various genetic models.
Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) are the major effectors for the attack of cancer. However, large established tumors are rarely controlled by CTL therapy. Our laboratory investigates the underlie mechanisms of tumor immune evasion during T cell therapy, and develops novel strategies to counter-react immune evasion.