Askar Akimzhanov

Askar Akimzhanov is an Associate Professor at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, affiliated with the McGovern Medical School's Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. His research focuses on protein S-acylation, a reversible post-translational modification critical for cell signaling and disease mechanisms, particularly in cancer and immune disorders. He investigates how dynamic palmitoylation regulates T-cell receptor signaling pathways and identifies novel therapeutic targets for immune-related diseases.

Education: PhD from the University of Würzburg (2005), followed by postdoctoral training at MD Anderson Cancer Center and the University of Texas Medical Branch.

Research interests include: protein lipidation dynamics, calcium regulation in cell signaling, and the role of DHHC enzymes in T-cell activation. He has published extensively on palmitoylation mechanisms in immunity and cancer, with over 20 peer-reviewed articles since 2002.

Current studies target the functional impact of S-acylation on key signaling proteins like Lck, LAT, and ZAP-70, as well as the therapeutic potential of DHHC enzymes in T-cell mediated diseases.