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Dr. Park’s research group investigates how commensal microbes residing in the intestine influence systemic immunity, with a particular focus on cancer immunity. Recent studies suggest that the gut microbiome plays a critical role in modulating responses to cancer immunotherapy. The lab is particularly interested in the signaling and metabolic mechanisms that mediate long-range communication between gut microbes, the immune system, and the tumor microenvironment (TME). Dr. Park’s team examines how gut microbes regulate key immune components of the TME, a complex ecosystem surrounding cancer cells. Publications and preliminary findings indicate that gut commensals significantly shape the immune landscape of tumors, although precise molecular and cellular processes remain poorly understood. The lab aims to uncover how commensal microbes and their metabolites modulate anti-tumor immunity in the context of cancer immunotherapy. A major focus lies in dissecting the signaling pathways specific gut microbes use to influence immune cells within the TME. The lab also investigates pathways that affect T cell responses and explores commensal-dependent immune mechanisms in chronic viral infections. Overall, the research aims to deepen understanding of the interplay between the gut microbiome and cancer immunity and to inform the development of innovative microbial-based therapies.
Department of Philosophy