Research Abstract

My lab studies structural and biochemical mechanisms of antiviral immunity. Over the last several years, we defined the molecular mechanisms of the RIG-I-like receptors, which are conserved viral RNA sensors in the vertebrate innate immune system. They are cytosolic receptors responsible for detecting viral RNAs during infection and activating the type I interferon (IFN) response. While their functions are best characterized in the context of antiviral immunity, more recent studies showed that these receptors and the downstream IFN pathways are activated during conventional cancer therapies (such as chemotherapy, and radiation therapy) and their activities play important roles in effective cancer immunotherapies. Our current interest includes defining the mechanism by which chemo- and radiation therapies activate these receptors and developing small molecules that can specifically modulate their signaling functions for therapeutic application.