Understanding glycobiology
Inside the lab of Joseph T.Y. Lau, PhD, our research centers on elucidating the functional contribution of glycan epitopes in normal and malignant processes.
Our work also delves deeply into the role of glycans and glycan-modifying enzymes in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell maintenance and development.
Meet the PI
Glycans and immune responses
The driving hypothesis of Dr. Lau’s research is that remodeling of cell surface glycans will alter critical tumor-host interactions, and understanding these interactions will offer clinical strategies that can lead to more effective anti-tumor immune responses.
Our current main project is to examine the contribution of the sialyltransferase, ST6Gal-1, in innate and adaptive immune responses.
Recent research funding
Physician Scientist Award
Five-year, $1.03 million Physician Scientist Award from the National Heart Lung & Blood Institute to develop and sustain programs supporting career development in glycosciences.
Extracellular Glycosylation and Blood Cell Production
Five-year, $3.23 million grant from Versiti Wisconsin, Inc., and the National Institutes of Health for research on glycans, carbohydrates on cell surfaces within the bone marrow that play a signaling role in blood cell production.
ST6Gal-1 Sialyltransferase in Inflammation
Four-year, $2.6 million R01 grant from the National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Disease to explore the potential therapeutic value of a form of the protein ST6GAL1 in the treatment of inflammation.
Faculty affiliations
Connect with the Lau Lab
Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
Elm and Carlton Streets
Buffalo, NY 14263