The research program focuses on developing a cancer immunotherapy targeting CLEC-1, a newly identified C-type lectin receptor, to block suppressive functions of myeloid cells and restore antitumor response to T lymphocytes. Suppressive myeloid cells have the ability to accumulate in the tumor microenvironment and deregulate the immune activation of T lymphocytes.

 In their new study, the researchers also identified several other promising antibiotic candidates, which they plan to test further. They believe the model could also be used to design new drugs, based on what it has learned about chemical structures that enable drugs to kill bacteria.