Celine Garcia

Epitopea is developing a cancer vaccine using a novel class of tumor specific antigens.

Study the role of Innate Lymphoid Cell type 2 (ILC2) in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) The Halim group is interested in understanding the basic immune-regulatory mechanisms in cancer, focusing on a new type of immune-regulatory cell, called the group 2 innate lymphoid cell (ILC2). I was using, and developing, cutting-edge reagents to study how ILC2-driven inflammation is involved in cancer. More specifically, ILC2 are known to directly influence many pro- and anti-cancer immune pathways, making this cell a challenging but potentially important target to investigate. This research will reveal potential new avenues for immunotherapy.

Regulation of T cell differentiation, activation and homeostasis by the phosphatase Ptpn22. Our overarching question is: how do mutations in genes involved in the activation and regulation of T cell responses contribute to regulation of immune homeostasis and at what point do perturbations in homeostatic mechanisms tip over into autoimmunity? Activation and termination of immune responses are balanced through cross-talk between tyrosine kinases and phosphatases immediately downstream of the T cell receptor (TCR). Changes in expression and point mutations in these influential kinases and phosphatases have been linked to autoimmunity; how do these mutations perturb homeostasis and result in a failure of regulation? At what point do perturbations in the homeostatic balance of the immune system tip into immunopathology and autoimmunity? What are the mechanisms that underlie these processes?

Study of Nipah virus G protein in viral entry process

Improvement of Streptococcus pneumoniae vaccine

Regulation and development of immune cells by TGF-β specially regulatory T cells.