Project Mentor
Dr. Arvind Chhabra
Medicine
Undergraduate Research Opportunity Description
| Project Description | I am working in the area of human cancer immunology & immunotherapy, and human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC). Among the approaches we are working on are the generation and functional characterization of human tumor antigen specific T cells from natural CD8+ cytolytic T cell (CTL) precursors; the creation of customized CD4+ and CD8+ anti-tumor T cells by engineering human peripheral blood derived T cells with a human melanoma-associated antigen specific transgenic T cell receptor (TCR); and the generation of donor-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) lines for generating donor specific T cell and antigen presenting cells (APC). I welcome undergraduate researchers to join me in either of the two projects listed below:
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| Project Direction | Project 1. Characterization of the biology of human anti-tumor T cells: We have utilized a MHC class I restricted human melanoma-associated antigen specific TCR to program CD4+ and CD8+ T cells to function as anti-tumor T cells. Our ongoing studies involve understanding the mechanism behind effector function generation and activation induced cell death (AICD) in TCR engineered CD4 and CD8 T cells. The overall goal here is to create long-lasting anti-tumor T cells with customized functional properties. Project 2. Understanding the development of innate and adaptive immune mechanisms utilizing human iPSC lines: We have generated iPSC lines from human peripheral blood-derived dendritic cells (DC). We are working on characterizing the innate and adaptive immune mechanisms in these iPSC lines and their cellular derivatives. The overall objective of this project is to create donor-specific naive immune effectors with customized functional profiles from donor-derived iPSC lines. |
| Student Qualifications | Students will have an opportunity to contribute to our ongoing research, depending upon their technical skills. They will have an opportunity to gain hands on experience in working with human anti-tumor T cells and/or iPSC lines, that could help them choose their research path going forward. While experience and expertise in working with human T cells or human iPSC lines, and molecular biology and protein biochemistry techniques will be an advantage, it is not required. |
| Time Commitment | 9 hours/week |
| Schedule Options | Students can work 9am-12pm, 12pm-4pm or 9am-4pm, depending upon their convenience. |
| Project Continuation | Summer 2017 |
| Possible Thesis Project | No |
Application
Submit an online application for this research opportunity using the form below. The application deadline is Friday, January 6, 2017.
This application requires a cover letter, a resume or CV, a brief statement of research interests, and a brief statement of career interests.