Deciphering complex immune pathways

Immune cells allow the human body to exist in a stable chemical and physical state (homeostasis) and have the ability to adapt as we develop and age. But changes to immune cell biology, for example, from chronic perturbations, alter homeostasis, leading to disease. To understand how and why these changes occur to our stable state, we must apply an interdisciplinary approach that combines physiology and immunology and need to decipher the complex immune pathways involved in cancer and chronic disease.

Dr. Kubes’ research program is at the forefront of real-time imaging of the immune system. As the CERC in Immunophysiology and Immunotherapy, he will provide leadership and build synergies amongst physiologists, cancer biologists, and immunologists, in order to adopt advanced technologies for understanding immune mechanisms of homeostasis and new disease treatments. By leveraging existing institutional strengths in immunology, cancer research, and precision medicine, this work will position Canada as a global hub for translational research on immune-based therapies.