Research

The mission of our lab is to understand gene regulatory circuits that govern immune cell tolerance and dysfunction in human health and diseases. Inflammation is a double-edged sword, having both favorable and unfavorable consequences. Thus, the induction and resolution of inflammation should be harmonized and finely controlled by balancing effector and regulatory components of the immune system. Understanding the cellular and molecular programs that control fine-tuned regulation of inflammation is key to combatting autoinflammatory disorders in humans.

Key Publications

Dysfunction of regulatory T cells under high-salt environment and autoimmune diseases: Activated ß-catenin in Foxp3⁺ regulatory T cells links inflammatory environments to autoimmunity
Dynamic T cell gene regulatory network controlling co-inhibitory receptors: Type I interferon transcriptional network regulates expression of coinhibitory receptors in human T cells
Single-cell multiomic approach-based immune profiling in human diseases:
- Single-cell multiomics reveals dyssynchrony of the innate and adaptive immune system in progressive COVID-19
- Immune dysregulation and autoreactivity correlate with disease severity in SARS-CoV-2-associated multisystem inflammatory syndrome

Approaches

An important element of our research is the integration of complementary approaches that combine three strategies: an in vitro gene manipulation system using primary human immune cells; a systems biology approach that utilizes patient samples and cutting-edge technologies; and functional interrogation of genetic effects associated with disease pathogenesis. We being with an unbiased approach to generate hypotheses by using multi-omics, followed by hypothesis-driven research to explore molecular mechanisms, using a systems biology approach. For instance, our comparative genomic and cellular analyses of human immune cells has identified human-specific features of immune regulation.