The University of Tennessee Health Science Center · Physiology

Cancer Immunotherapy Lab

Gabor J Tigyi · Memphis, Tennessee

Research Focus

Dr. Gabor J. Tigyi's lab focuses on discovering small molecules that can enhance the immune response against tumors by targeting a specific receptor called LPAR5, which inhibits the activity of cytotoxic T cells. By blocking this receptor, the lab aims to improve T cell activation and boost the body's ability to fight cancer. This research could lead to new treatments for immune-resistant cancers.

tumor immunityLPAR5 GPCRcytotoxic T lymphocytesimmunotherapysmall molecule inhibitors

Research Aims

AIM 01Identify small molecule inhibitors of LPAR5 to enhance tumor immunity.

AIM 02Optimize LPAR5 antagonists using medicinal chemistry techniques.

AIM 03Evaluate the specificity and potency of novel LPAR5 antagonists.

AIM 04Test the efficacy of lead compounds in boosting T cell activity.

AIM 05Conduct preclinical studies on selected inhibitors to assess their potential for cancer treatment.

Skills the Lab Values

cell culturehigh-throughput screeningmedicinal chemistryin vivo animal modelscellular assaysmolecular dockingPK analysisdata analysisimmunological techniquespharmacology

Output against the department

Publications215top 30% of dept.86th of 286

this lab

most publishedleast published

Citations8.8ktop 37% of dept.107th of 286

this lab

most citedleast cited

Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.