Engineering Immune Responses via Functional Biomaterials

Our research focuses on the synthesis and preclinical validation of biomaterials-based immunomodulatory therapies that bias the adaptive immune response towards antigen-specific immunity or tolerance.  Utilizing organic chemistry, the aim of our group is to synthesize bespoke biomaterials with specific immunomodulatory functionalities.  In particular, we are interested in the development of immunity-inducing therapies for the treatment of cancer and infectious disease as well as tolerance-induction strategies that knock out the antigen-specific immune responses that drive autoimmunity, transplant rejections, and the immunogenicity of protein-based therapeutics.  In addition to immunomodulatory therapies, we are also developing platforms that modulate the spatial-temporal delivery of both small molecules and biologics.