Rusung Tan

MD, FRCPC, PhD

Investigator Emeritus, BC Children's Hospital

Immune white cells, such as cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and natural killer (NK) cells, protect us from infectious diseases and cancer by killing infected or unwanted cells. Conversely, defects in the function or regulation of these cells can lead to immunodeficiency or autoimmunity. Currently we are studying the role of these cells in two diseases: type 1 diabetes and X-linked lymphoproliferative disease. In both these disorders, we have described defects in CTL and NK cells. By identifying these defects in detail we hope that we will be able to develop novel therapies for disease.