Elizabeth Choe (WHITE LAB)

Characterizing Treatment-induced Immunopeptidomic Shifts in Glioblastoma

Glioblastoma treatment has not seen a breakthrough in over 20 years, but recent studies suggest that with an optimization of timing and context, GBM could be responsive to immunotherapies. To guide this optimization, I characterized how radiation induces rapid remodeling of the immunopeptidome and its relationship to DNA damage signaling networks. These findings could inform the design of combination therapies that improve GBM’s response to immunotherapy.

Miranda Dawson (JASANOFF LAB)

Wide-field Delivery and Detection of Exogenous Molecules in the Rodent Brain

Delivery of therapeutic and diagnostic agents to the central nervous system is hindered by the blood-brain barrier (BBB), a system of tightly juxtaposed endothelial and perivascular cells that prevents extravasation of most blood-borne molecules. Here we quantitatively evaluate and compare strategies for wide-field brain delivery. Using molecular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques, we determine that optimal delivery is attained using a chemically-mediated BBB disruption method.