University of Chicago researcher and professor Dr. Aly Khan has been awarded the prestigious Common Mechanisms of Autoimmunity Insight Award, a joint initiative designed to deepen understanding of the shared and distinct mechanisms driving multiple autoimmune diseases and to speed the development of new treatments. Dr. Khan’s research focuses on identifying tiny protein fragments—called peptides—that may mistakenly trigger these autoimmune responses. His team is mapping how “HLA” proteins, which present peptides to the immune system, sometimes display the body’s own molecules in ways that provoke harmful attacks. By modeling which peptides bind to risky versus protective HLA types, and pinpointing their origins in the body, Dr. Khan’s work promises to open new doors to personalized treatments across multiple autoimmune diseases. His innovative approach reflects the award’s mission: to reveal shared biological mechanisms that could accelerate breakthroughs for millions living with autoimmunity.
Read the full story by the Lupus Research Alliance here.