Noreen Wauford (WEISS LAB)

Engineering a Mammalian Toggle Switch that Functions over Long Time Scales

Cell therapies have yielded breakthrough cures in cancer and genetic diseases. Synthetic biological circuits may enable sophisticated cell therapies that respond to patient biomarkers and inputs from clinicians. However, epigenetic silencing causes traditional mammalian genetic circuits to lose function within a few weeks, impeding applications in cell therapies. Here, I will discuss the development of a mammalian toggle switch that remains functional over long time scales.

Yash Agarwal (WITTRUP & IRVINE LABS)

Enhancing Local Delivery of Cancer Immunotherapy with Alum Adjuvant

Cancer immunotherapy agents are providing curative anti-tumor responses in many patients. However, these are typically only effective in a subset of patients with some even eliciting potent and harmful side-effects. Thus, strategies to localize and retain these therapies in tumors may be key to maintaining efficacy while limiting off-target toxicity. Here, I will discuss our work in implementing the aluminum hydroxide adjuvant (alum) as a platform for the controlled release of immunotherapies within solid tumors.