"Protein-Glycan Interactions in Immunity"

Blueprints for agents regulating immune responses (vaccines or tolerizing agents) are needed. The design-principles have been elusive because many immune system receptors can transmit signals that lead to either immunity or tolerance; therefore, we lack a molecular understanding. Our group is interested in how cell surface glycans of foreign cells (pathogens, cancer cells) influence immune responses and how such information can be co-opted to combat disease. To this end, we are generating small molecules and polymers as chemical probes to elucidate the different combinations of signals that give rise to tolerance or immunity. To this end, we found that glycan conjugates can give rise to potent signals that result in anti-cancer immunity. This seminar will discuss the relevant design features of these conjugates and the mechanisms underlying their activity against tumors.