The Gaiha Lab studies basic T cell immunology and designs next-generation T cell vaccines for acute and chronic viral illnesses and cancer.
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Deciphering Mechanisms of T Cell Function and Exhaustion
Studying the interactions between T cell receptors (TCRs) on CD8+ T cells and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules on antigen presenting cells as well as CD8+ T cell exhaustion.
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Understanding T Cell Responses to Cancer, Infection, and Vaccines
Investigating murine, non-human primate, and human responses to various HIV, SIV, and SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and cancers.
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Creating a T Cell Vaccine Platform
Rationally designing CD8+ T cell immunogens and assembling them in an adenoviral vector, mRNA, or replicon to create vaccines against HIV, HPV, HCV, SARS-CoV-2, and other respiratory viruses.