Our laboratory is focused on understanding the molecular mechanism underlying the recognition of pathogens by phagocytes such as macrophages and dendritic cells. Phagocytes engulf various microbes via normal phagocytosis for host defense. On the other hand, phagocytes engulf some crystals and engineered nanoparticles to cause inflammation via frustrated phagocytosis, a process which is associated with fibrosis and cancer. The goal of our laboratory is to understand how phagocytes recognize pathogenic particles and to develop therapeutic monoclonal antibodies.