Research

the role of RNA editing and dsRNA sensing in anti-tumor immunity

We previously identified the RNA-editing enzyme, ADAR1, as a novel target for improving responses to immune checkpoint blockade. We are now focused on defining the mechanisms by which unedited dsRNA drives anti-tumor immunity and improved responses to immunotherapy and translating therapeutics that utilize these mechanisms into the clinic.

Identification of novel drug targets for immunotherapy

Based upon insights from our prior work, we have developed new strategies for applying functional genomic screening with CRISPR and Cas9 to identify drug targets that overcome resistance to immunotherapy. We are working to validate these new approaches in vitro and in vivo to and define the patient groups most likely to respond to therapies aimed at the targets we discover.

novel resistance mechanisms and response biomarkers in patients

We are in the process of validating approaches to perform deeper and higher-throughput characterization of clinical specimens than was previously possible. We plan to combine these approaches with clinical annotation to define resistance mechanisms and biomarkers of patient response to immunotherapy.