{"id":347,"date":"2022-04-19T19:30:58","date_gmt":"2022-04-19T19:30:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/law.scripps.edu\/?page_id=347"},"modified":"2026-05-08T22:33:34","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T22:33:34","slug":"law-laboratory-scripps-research","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/law.scripps.edu\/","title":{"rendered":"Law Laboratory | Scripps Research"},"content":{"rendered":"

MISSION<\/h3>\n
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\"HEALTH IS LIBERTY\"<\/h3>\n

MANKIND HAS SUCCEEDED IN ERADICATING SMALLPOX
\n- WE CAN DO THE SAME FOR VIRAL HEPATITIS B AND C<\/strong><\/p>\n

The mission of the Law Laboratory is to generate foundational insights in virology and immunology that enable the eradication of HBV and HCV.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Research<\/h3>\n
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The Yin and Yang of Human Antibody Response<\/strong><\/p>\n

Antibody response is part of our immune reactions to fight invasion of foreign matters and development of cancer in our bodies. It is a continuous trial-and-error process throughout our lifetime, influenced by both internal and external factors. When error occurs, our antibody response can do harm to ourselves.<\/p>\n

The Law laboratory is interested in understanding how the good and the bad antibodies are made in our bodies. The good antibodies, made during an infection or vaccination against pathogens, help us survive numerous infections. The bad antibodies, found in autoimmune diseases and allergies, contribute to chronic health problems leading to poor quality of life. We utilize chronic viral hepatitis models to learn about these antibodies, the cells producing them, and our immune memory.<\/p>\n

Current research projects:<\/strong>
\n(1) Hepatitis C (HCV). We are one of the leading teams in the world in the study of HCV neutralizing antibodies and vaccine antigens for rational vaccine design. See our recent publications here<\/a> for our strategies in the development of a broadly effective HCV vaccine.<\/p>\n

(2) Hepatitis B (HBV). It is estimated that ~3% of the world populations are HBV+. HBV is the leading cause for the need of liver transplantation in many countries. Chronic HBV can lead to liver inflammation, loss of liver functions and liver cancer. HBV vaccine is the first \"cancer\" vaccine by eliciting virus neutralizing antibodies to stop HBV from spreading and causing liver cancer. However, antibody and B cell responses in chronic HBV patients are defective rendering the vaccine ineffective. We are interested in learning about the mechanism of this virus-induced immune suppression and the strategies to reverse the defect.<\/p>\n

(3) Rheumatoid factor (RF) in protection and human diseases. RF is an anti-antibody antibody made in our bodies during an infection or autoimmune reaction. In chronic viral infection, RF can form large immune complex that precipitates in lower body temperature, known as cryoglobulin, causing tissue inflammation and damage. We would like to better define the molecular properties of RF and how they are regulated in our bodies.<\/p>\n

(4) Food allergy. Allergy is a \u201cmisfired\u201d immune reaction when our bodies expose to harmless food\/environmental antigens. The exact cause of allergy is poorly understood although we know that IgE antibody plays a role if the allergic reaction occurs within minutes of allergen exposure. Allergen-specific IgE captured on the surface of mast cells can detect the presence of allergens, leading to \"mast cell degranulation\" and a cascade of potent immune reactions resulting in tissue damage, and in severe cases, life-threatening anaphylactic reaction. We are interested in studying how the allergen-specific IgE B cells are generated, how the immune memory to food allergens is maintained, and the strategies in curing food allergy. A collaborative training program has been established between our lab and the Division of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology of Scripps Clinic to study peanut allergy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Mansun Law, Ph.D.<\/h3>\n
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Professor<\/strong>
\nDepartment of Immunology & Microbiology<\/strong><\/p>\n

Education<\/strong>
\nB.Sc., Biotechnology, University of Hong Kong
\nM.Phil., Molecular Biology, University of Hong Kong
\nD.Phil., Virology, University of Oxford<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Latest News<\/h3>\n
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2026 | Nanoparticle vaccine approach takes on a new target: Hepatitis C virus<\/a><\/p>\n

2020 | Researchers unveil promising hepatitis C vaccine design<\/a><\/p>\n

2016 | Scientists Awarded $4.6 Million for Hepatitis C Vaccine Research<\/a><\/p>\n

2016 | Scientists Uncover Why Hepatitis C Virus Vaccine Has Been Difficult to Make<\/a><\/p>\n

2013 | TSRI Team Achieves Most Detailed Picture Ever of Key Part of Hepatitis C Virus<\/a><\/p>\n

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2012 | Team Finds Promising Vaccine Targets on Hepatitis C Virus<\/a><\/p>\n

2011 | Researchers Advance Study of Hepatitis C with New Model<\/a><\/p>\n

2007 | Team Identifies Human Antibodies that Prevent Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Mouse Model<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Personnel<\/h3>\t\t\t