​Hui Lab

Decoding the molecular logic of immune checkpoint signaling

 

Our lab works at the interface of biochemistry, cell biology, and immunology to understand the fundamental mechanisms of immune checkpoint signaling. Immune checkpoints act as molecular “brakes” that normally restrain immune responses, but tumors can hijack these pathways to escape immune destruction. While antibody-based checkpoint blockade has led to remarkable clinical successes, these therapies benefit only a fraction of patients and tumor types. We believe that a deeper mechanistic understanding of checkpoint regulation is essential for broadening the reach of cancer immunotherapy. To address this challenge, we combine cell-free reconstitution, live-cell imaging, and cell-based assays to define how immune checkpoints operate at the molecular and cellular levels.