IMPACT Lab
Research
The focus of the lab is to integrate conventional
and novel immunomodulatory approaches, to develop balanced therapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases aiming for translation.
From the gut to the soil, microbes are silent partners in life’s grand design. An emerging aspect of our research explores the use of microbes and their metabolites as immunomodulatory agents. This capability makes them valuable tools for both suppressing excessive inflammation in autoimmune disorders and enhancing immune activity in cancer.
Immune dysregulation in cancer and autoimmune diseases stems from T-cell imbalances. In cancer, T cells are suppressed, hindering tumor targeting, while in autoimmunity, overactive T cells cause tissue damage. T-cell therapies aim to restore balance: checkpoint inhibitors activate T cells against tumors, whereas autoimmune treatments suppress harmful T-cell activity. Microbes can modulate both these processes.
CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY
We focus on overcoming tumor immune evasion mechanisms and enhancing anti-tumor immunity through T-cell engineering. Our lab focuses on reprogramming T cells to enhance immune responses and target cancer cells, with particular emphasis on immunotherapeutic strategies such as CAR-T cell therapy and immune checkpoint inhibition.
AUTO-IMMUNE DISORDER
Inflammation-induced inhibition of the insulin signaling pathway can lead to insulin resistance and contribute to the development of Type 2 Diabetes. Our lab aims to develop an efficient probiotic that help in restoring the repertoire of the gut microbiota, to decrease inflammation and suppress autoimmunity.