Mechanistic Molecular Immunology

About the lab

Research at the Sgourakis Lab sheds light on the dynamic molecular processes which determine immune recognition, signaling and the formation of long-term memory against viral, tumor and autoimmune targets.

• What is the molecular basis of peptide repertoire selection and display on molecules of the Major Histocompatibility Complex?
• How do CAR-based therapeutics recognize their targets on the cell surface?
• What triggers T cell receptor activation at the immunological synapse?
• How are conformational changes of the pleiotropic cytokine IL-2 modulating its function?

To address these questions, we integrate cutting-edge structural biology tools, such as Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography, with complementary biophysical and biochemical techniques, computational modeling, and functional assays. The Sgourakis Lab’s efforts are done in close collaboration with the vibrant research community at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and the University of Pennsylvania.

We are affiliated with:

Funding