Immunity and Small Molecules

Our lab is focused in understanding the molecular mechanisms of autoimmunity, and how small molecules could be involved in both fostering and/or disrupting the functioning of the immune system. They constitute powerful drugs as they easily cross cell membranes, increasing the number of druggable targets but, at the same time, their small size and chemical features make them a potential source of immune disruption. 
We have extensive experience and expertise in both basic and translational research, as well as in animal models of autoimmunity, and we previously identified a portfolio of novel and repurposed small molecules with previously unknown immunomodulatory properties. Their advantage with regards of other immunotherapies is their small size, which allows them to be administered orally, potentially increasing patient adherence. We are currently validating them ex vivo in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Type 1 Diabetes patients, and in vivo in mouse models, as a previous step to proceeding to preclinical and clinical trials.
We have also extensively worked in studying the molecular mechanisms driving autoimmune diseases, in particular identifying novel T-cell epitopes and T-cell receptor features which constitute biomarkers of the disease. We now aim to go a step further, looking for the role of small molecules as autoantigens for MAIT cells in autoimmune diseases.