Youg Thaker (Raj)

Interested in understanding the signaling and cellular events that perturb immune homeostasis leading to the inflammation (autoimmunity) or immune suppression (tumor-oncology). I use immunological tools (in vitro assays and in vivo mouse models) and biochemical assays to understand the physiology of normal or diseased states. I am also interested in understanding the molecular basis of immune checkpoint cancer immunotherapies, and how to improve these treatments for the patients who are currently refractory or develop adverse events to these therapies. I am also trying to understanding how checkpoint blockade with anti-PD1 and LAG3 antibodies modulate the function of various immune cell types such as Tregs. The importance of checkpoint blocked has received considerable attention in the context of inhibitory co-receptors such as PD-1 and CTLA-4 where their blockade has shown potent effects in the anti-tumor and anti-viral immunity (Science magazine’s Breakthrough of the Year 2013). Several of these therapies are now in clinics and have had a major impact on cancer therapeutics.