Main working axes:
- Characterization of the repertoire of mycobacterial lipid antigens involved in T cell responses.
- Functional and structural studies of CD1-lipid complexes, CD1 loading lipid mechanisms and investigation of specific recognition by the TCRs.
- Molecular mechanisms of lipid antigens processing: functional and structural studies of CD1e, definition of the repertoire of lipid-derived epitopes, characterization of lysosomal enzymatic activities involved in the generation of lipid epitopes.
- Evaluation of lipid neoantigen protective effect in animal models challenged with M. tuberculosis and proof-of-concept that CD1-restricted T cells can protect against mycobacterial infection.