The Laboratory of
Molecular Immunology and Medicine
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The intestinal immune system
and the commensal microbiotaThe intestine harbors a largest number of immune cells in the body. Because the intestinal immune cells are constantly exposed to dietary antigens and commensal microorganisms, they show unique features that distinguish them from the immune cells in other organs. Moreover, the intestinal immune system plays a essential role in maintaining the systemic homeostasis and numerous diseases are associated with malfunction of the intestinal immune system. Our lab is studying the functions of various immune cell populations in the intestine and their regulatory mechanisms. In addition, we aim to discover molecular mechanisms underlying the cross-talk between commensal microbes and intestinal immune cells. -
Functional characterization
of novel immune-regulatory proteinsDespite the completion of human genome sequencing almost two decades ago, we still do not fully understand the functions of most proteins. Our lab aims to discover novel immune-regulatory proteins and elucidate their underlying molecular mechanisms. For this purpose, we are using mouse models and a wide array of biochemical and cell biological approaches. This study will help develop strategies for modulating immune cell activities and ultimately lead to the identification of novel therapeutic targets for immunological diseases. -
Regulation of Toll-like receptorsToll-like receptors (TLRs) are the major innate immune receptors that recognize pathogen-derived molecular patterns and initiate host immune responses. TLRs also sense host-derived molecules that are released from stressed or dying cells during sterile inflammation and play a critical role in pathogenesis of several autoimmune diseases and chronic inflammatory diseases. Our lab is investigating various regulatory mechanisms that control cellular localization and activity of individual TLRs to provide novel therapeutic strategies for treatment of autoimmune diseases.