Although it is well-recognized that our immune system matures and evolves from infancy to adulthood as posited by the hygiene hypothesis, the underlying phenotypic and functional differences between the pediatric and adult immune system, and how they can be shaped by pathogenic triggers and dietary factors, remain poorly understood. This has resulted in limited, non-specific, and inefficacious treatment options available for this group of vulnerable individuals, leaving them at risk of suffering from permanent damage, long-term complications, decreased quality of life, and even death.

As such, the objective of our lab is to uncover the unknowns of immunoregulation and immunopathogenesis in children during health and diseases using preclinical mouse models. This could aid in the (1) the identification of novel and specific therapeutic targets in children, (2) identification of children who are at risk of developing severe complications associated with infectious diseases for early intervention, and (3) development of novel vaccine adjuvants capable of promoting a more robust and prolonged immunity in children to reduce the need for booster shots.