Mike Rout is interested in how proteins assemble to form the dynamic assemblies comprising cells, and diseases associated with alterations in those assemblies. Mike formed the National Center for Dynamic Interactome Research, which includes several collaborating laboratories. This center is developing the methodologies required to obtain a comprehensive map of dynamic protein interactions within any organism. This allows researchers to explore the utility of the technology for functional elucidation of complex biological processes. Mike Rout and colleagues are investigating nanobodies, a class of small antibody-like molecules derived from llamas and related species, for use as therapeutics. They generate nanobodies that target BTLA and HVEM, two immune checkpoint receptors whose activity modulation by nanobodies could lead to profound inhibition of lymphoma cell growth; these will be evaluated for their direct preclinical therapeutic potential, as well as for combination nanobody/CAR-T based therapies, enabling the application of nanobody technology to cancer therapy and diagnosis.