Immunobiology & Transplant Science Center

Cell surface molecules and cytokine receptors guide activation of aggressive lymphocytes in the immune system; they collectively control survival and functional attributes of activated lymphocytes. In our program, we identify essential molecular targets that serve as key checkpoints in lymphocyte activities and develop therapeutic antibodies that can target such checkpoints to modulate the immune responses toward the outcomes we desire. As another area of focus, we explore how to use human IgG1 as a backbone to genetically engineer recombinant fusion proteins into new therapeutics; we then use a variety of preclinical disease models to establish the safety and efficacy of such proteins before moving them to clinical studies. We think these strategies hold great potential for improving outcomes in patients with autoimmune diseases, cancer and organ transplants.

Diseases caused by malfunctioning immune system — type I diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, colitis, multiple sclerosis, allergy — are often debilitating. In our bench-to-bedside program, we translate basic lab discoveries to clinical therapies through collaboration with various clinical programs at Houston Methodist. Our scientists conduct patient-centered studies, including various stages of clinical trials, to advance medical therapies for immune-mediated diseases. Our key areas of clinical translation include transplant survival without life-long immunosuppression, prevention of chronic allograft rejection and treatment of various autoimmune diseases.