Research

The laboratory investigates the role of CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ regulatory T cells (Tregs) in maintaining immune tolerance and preventing autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis. The research focuses on how Tregs regulate Tfh-B-cell interactions, germinal center responses, and autoantibody production to identify mechanisms to restore immune tolerance and develop novel therapies for autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. In mouse models of colorectal cancer (CRC), the laboratory investigates how aberrant circulating B-cell responses promote colon carcinogenesis through Treg destabilization to define the underlying B-cell-Treg axis and identify potential therapeutic targets. 

The laboratory investigates how metabolic dysfunction and gut microbiome alterations influence immune regulation, hematopoiesis, and bone homeostasis. We focus on the gut-immune-bone axis to understand how microbial and metabolic signals regulate the bone marrow niche, hematopoietic function, and skeletal remodeling (enhanced osteoclastogenesis and impaired bone formation) to identify novel mechanisms and therapeutic targets for metabolic and inflammatory diseases. 

The laboratory focuses on developing next-generation CAR-T cell therapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases. In cancer, we investigate tumor-specific CAR-T cells to enhance tumor recognition and elimination. For autoimmune diseases, we develop CAR-Treg strategies to restore antigen-specific immune tolerance and suppress pathological immune responses while minimizing systemic immunosuppression.

The laboratory develops novel bispecific antibody therapeutics for cancer and autoimmune diseases by simultaneously targeting two distinct epitopes or molecular targets with a single antibody molecule. These engineered antibodies are designed with a single Fc region to improve functional activity, specificity, and therapeutic potential. Our goal is to develop targeted bispecific antibody strategies that enhance antitumor immunity or selectively modulate pathogenic immune responses while minimizing systemic toxicity.

The laboratory develops next-generation vaccine strategies against infectious diseases by integrating AI/ML-guided antigen and epitope selection, molecular mimicry analysis, and immune-response profiling. We investigate how antigen design, immune activation, and cellular interactions can be optimized to generate durable, protective, and broadly neutralizing immune responses.