Seminars

Despite advances in immunotherapies that boost T-cell function, many tumors remain resistant due to suppression by tumor-associated myeloid cells that dominate the microenvironment and inhibit T-cell activity. Interferon-γ can reprogram them into pro-inflammatory, T-cell-supportive states, but its use is limited by systemic toxicity and pleiotropic activation of other cells. We developed a protein-engineering strategy that confines Interferon-γ activity on myeloid cells only, restoring T cell function while minimizing off-target activation.

Breast cancer is a highly prevalent and heterogeneous disease, with some subtypes showing low immunogenicity and others lacking actionable targets. Through this project, we envision to 1) map the breast cancer TCR landscape using a high-throughput flow-focusing approach, and to 2) develop a therapeutic capable of eliciting a robust immune response using E. coli Nissle 1917-derived minicells.