The Mkhikian lab uses cell biology, immunology, molecular biology, biochemistry, and proteomics tools to explore the role of glycans (complex carbohydrates) in the context of T cell biology. We are particularly interested in the role of N-glycans in regulating T cell aging and autoimmunity. We have recently discovered that N-glycan branching increases with age to drive T cell aging and associated hypoactivity (Mkhikian et al., Nature Aging 2022). This increase turns out to be sex-dimorphic, with larger changes in females than males. We are investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying this sex-dimorphism with the goal of developing treatments for T cell aging. We are also interested in developing new tools to tackle open glycobiology questions. Additional research questions in the lab include: 1) How do glycans regulate receptor dynamics at the T cell surface? 2) How do cells and organisms regulate their cell-surface glycan/glycoprotein compositions? 3) How are endogenous lectin-glycoconjugate interactomes structured? 4) How can specific glycans be targeted to treat human diseases? 5) How can disease states be effectively screened for disease-relevant changes in glycosylation?