Koss Lab Publishes a Report of Integrated Multi-omics Studies in Cell
October 2026
The article “Proteomic Atlas of T-Cell Exhaustion Defines Proteostatic Collapse” is now available online and will be printed in a forthcoming issue of Cell. With integrated transcriptomics, quantitative proteomics, turnover proteomics, and ubiquitin proteomics, this study built a multi-omic atlas of human T-cell exhaustion. It revealed that dysfunctional T cells undergo broad remodeling of protein turnover and ubiquitin regulation that cannot be captured by analyzing only RNA. The data also identified E3 ligase RNF166 as a regulator of T-cell persistence and anti-tumor function, highlighting proteostasis as a targetable axis for improving immunotherapy.
PhD Students Advance to Candidacy
October 2026
Congrats to Thomas Williams and Katie Cruse on passing their qualifying exams and advancing to candidacy! They were presented with white coats in a ceremony hosted by the Graduate School.
Koss Lab Receives R01 Award from the National Cancer Institute
August 2026
Brian Koss, PhD, was awarded $3.3 million from the NCI to fund a 5-year R01 grant entitled, “Targeting the E3 Ligase RNF166 to Prevent T-cell Exhaustion in Solid Tumors.” Our preliminary studies demonstrated that E3 ligase RNF166 is a novel regulator that preserves T-cell persistence and function by limiting T-cell exhaustion, a condition that significantly impairs the clinical efficacy of adoptive T-cell therapies in the solid-tumor setting. This project will identify molecular targets of RNF166, translate these findings into RNF166-engineered CAR-T cells, and determine whether the engineered cells have enhanced immunotherapeutic efficacy in mouse models of solid tumors.
An Afternoon of Indoor Rock Climbing
August 2026
To celebrate the new R01 grant award, the Koss Lab spent a few hours climbing the walls at Little Rock Climbing Center.
Congratulations, Lora, on a well-deserved retirement!
May 2026
Lora Rogers hung up her lab coat after working 4 years in the Koss lab, and many more in research. Joined by Lora’s family and some old friends, the Koss lab hosted a celebration of the beginning of a new chapter and plenty of time for travel.
2026 Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute Research Retreat
May 2026
The daylong event, held in downtown Little Rock, is an opportunity for researchers to share their latest projects and learn about the diverse cancer research happening across UAMS. The Koss lab presented 4 posters.
- “Genetic Manipulation of 53BP1 Phosphorylation Enhances T Cell Cytotoxicity and Survival Against Solid Tumors,” Jessica Kelliher, PhD
- “Leveraging 53BP1-driven DNA Repair to Combat T cell Exhaustion in Glioblastoma,” Grant Dawson
- “Proteome Turnover Dynamics Analysis Identifies RNF166 as a Critical E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Driving T-Cell Persistence,” Sydnye Shuttleworth
- “Donor-Intrinsic Proteomic Programs Define Molecular Drivers of CAR-T Cell Persistence,” Katie Cruse
Koss Lab Coauthors Publication in "Cell"
May 2026
Brian, Michael, and Sydnye were coauthors on a research article recently published in Cell.
Koss and Xia Labs Receive R01 Grant
May 2026
Brian Koss, PhD, and Fen Xia, MD, PhD, were awarded $3.1 million from the National Cancer Institute. The 5-year R01 will support their project entitled, “Exploring host GSK3β-53BP1 axis in immune control of solid tumor progression.”
Be a Part of the Cure Walk
May 2026
The Koss Lab team came out on May 2 to support the 6th annual Be a Part of the Cure Walk at Little Rock’s War Memorial Stadium. Sponsored by the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, the walk celebrates, honors, and remembers all those touched by cancer.