Morimoto Lab at Notre Dame

We are a highly interdisciplinary research group working at the intersection of synthetic chemistry, chemical biology, and immunology. Our lab is located in the Chemistry and Biochemistry department at the University of Notre Dame

New paradigms to reprogram our immune system

Our research centers around chemical immunology, where we develop chemical approaches to discover and target immune-regulating mechanisms.

A key area of investigation involves glycans—sugars that cover the surface of every cell and play a critical role in immune responses by interacting with lectins (glycan-binding proteins). Our group aims to characterize these interactions to develop glycan-based small molecules, immunotherapies, and diagnostics.

Another area of focus involves using chemically induced proximity to restore the activity of dysfunctional tumor-associated immune cells. We design and synthesize small molecules and biologics that can precisely modulate protein-protein interactions (PPIs) within the tumor microenvironment with minimal systemic toxicity.

Group News

July, 2025 - We have officially moved into our newly renovated permanent lab space, 153 McCourtney Hall!

May, 2025 - Mari gave talks at the Harper Cancer Research Institute Spring Seminar Series and IBMS retreat.

May, 2025 - Ell, Grace, and Madeline presented posters at the Chemistry-Biochemistry-Biology Interface (CBBI) Symposium!

May, 2025 - Renzo Gutierrez and Jason Vance are awarded CoS-SURF fellowships for summer research. Great job!

February, 2025 - Welcome to our new first year PhD students, Grace, Madeline, and Brandon!

January, 2025 - The Morimoto lab officially opens its doors! Our temporary lab space is 387 Stepan Chemistry Hall.

September, 2024 - The lab is awarded the Glycoproteomics Innovator Grant from InterVenn Biosciences!

July, 2024 - Postdoc Ell Handy is awarded the Society of Science Fellows Postdoctoral Fellowship. Congrats Ell!

Join our team.