Research Expertise The focus of research is the immunorecognition of nucleic acids, and its intersection with RNA interference. The group contributed to the immunobiology of TLR9 and CpG DNA, specifically the function of TLR9 in the human immune system. Furthermore, the group found that short interfering RNA molecules (siRNA) activate TLR7, and worked on the structural requirements for the detection of RNA by TLR7 and TLR8. The group identified the RNA ligand for RIG-I, and analyzed the signaling pathways of RIG-I, and resolved the crystal structure or RIG-I bound to its ligand 5´-triphosphate RNA. The group applies immunostimulatory nucleic acids and siRNA for immunotherapy of cancer and viral infection.