Natasa Strbo

Dr. Strbo's laboratory studies the development of the secreted heat shock protein cancer vaccines. In patients with cancer, the hypoxia in the tumor microenvironment generates extracellular adenosine which is highly suppressive for CTL cytotoxicity and prevents complete tumor rejection by the CTL that were generated by vaccination. Currently, he and his team are developing combinatorial vaccine gp96 vaccine approach with oxygenation that will inhibit adenosine generation and enable the vaccine-generated CTL to completely reject tumors.

Specific areas of research interest in my lab include:

1. Cellular and molecular mechanism of secreted heat shock fusion protein, gp96-Ig and development of secreted gp96-Ig vaccine against infectious diseases
2. The role of Perforin-2 at mucosal barriers: skin, reproductive tract and gut
3. Development of humanized-mouse model
4. Mucosal Immune system in female reproductive tract