Michael Demetriou

Michael Demetriou, MD, PhD, is a Professor of Neurology at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine. He serves as Director of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Designated Comprehensive Care Clinic in Neurology. His research focuses on glycobiology, particularly the role of N-glycosylation in immune regulation, cancer progression, and autoimmune diseases. His work explores how glycan structures modulate cell signaling pathways, receptor clustering, and tumor behavior through interactions with galectins.

Key areas of investigation include the function of Mgat5 enzyme in T-cell receptor activation, integrin-mediated cell motility, and galectin-glycoprotein lattice formation. His studies have revealed critical roles for glycosylation in autoimmune susceptibility, cancer metastasis, and behavioral defects in mouse models. Demetriou's findings bridge basic glycan biology to translational applications in immunotherapy and cancer treatment.