Robert Tinoco

Robert Tinoco is an Assistant Professor of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry at the University of California, Irvine. Tinoco completed his Ph.D. training at the University of California, San Diego, and discovered how transforming growth factor beta (TGF-b) signaling promoted the generation of exhausted T cell during chronic viral infection (Immunity 2009). As a postdoctoral fellow at SBP Discovery and UC San Diego, he discovered a new immune checkpoint function for the adhesion molecule, P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) that induced T cell exhaustion during chronic viral infection and melanoma tumor development (Immunity 2016). We highlighted our findings and reviewed PSGL-1 biology (Trends Immunology 2017), and provided insight on potential PSGL-1 therapeutics (Immunotherapy 2017). 

Tinoco is also interested in immune responses to respiratory viruses and discovered an important function for fucosyltransferases in supporting memory CD4+ T cell differentiation during influenza viral infection (J Immunology 2018). His laboratory continues efforts to uncover immune regulators that promote T cell dysfunction during viral infections and tumors. He is also collaborating with CVR members to investigate immune responses to the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2.