About Xu Lab
At Xu Lab, we aim to decipher the structural and immunological basis of viral diseases and to unlock new strategies in cancer immunology. Our research focuses on the development of effective vaccines and immune-therapeutics against various pathogenic agents and specific cancer targets by innovative approaches.
Research Interests
- Structure-based vaccine design and therapeutic discovery against cancers and viral diseases
- Mechanism of henipavirus entry and protective antibody recognition
Research Summary
Our lab is dedicated to structure-based vaccine research and antibody therapy discovery for both viral diseases and cancer. We utilize structural biology techniques, including cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and X-ray crystallography, to investigate the molecular mechanisms of viral entry, immune recognition, and key signaling pathways driving tumor progression. These insights inform the rational design of novel therapeutics, including monoclonal antibodies and engineered vaccine candidates.
Beyond fundamental structural studies, we collaborate closely with immunologists, virologists, oncologists, and computational biologists to translate structural discoveries into real-world biomedical applications. A major focus of our research is nanobody drug discovery, where we integrate structural insights with rational protein engineering to develop highly specific and potent therapeutics for antiviral and anticancer applications.
Through interdisciplinary research, we aim to establish a platform that integrates structural biology, immunology, and AI-driven design to address critical challenges in viral disease and cancer therapeutics.