Bioengineered Interfaces to Direct Immune Cell Function

BIOENGINEERING SEMINAR
 
Abstract:
T cells are a central component of the immune system, and can display activated and/or suppressive phenotypes. Controlling T cell behaviour, and balancing these phenotypes, is key to controlling immune responses in a wide range of diseases; including cancer, wound healing, and organ rejection. In this talk, we show the development of bioengineered interfaces that can be used to communicate with T cells and help to re-direct T cell function towards activated or suppressive phenotypes. We will highlight three examples across the nano, micro and macro length-scale that showcase the use of immunoengineering to control cell fate in these diseases. First, we describe the development of nanopatterned ligand arrays that can be used to engage with receptors on the surface of immune cells, and show that by fine-tuning the precise inter-ligand spacing from between 20nm to 200nm cellular activity can be controlled. Next, we highlight the role of mechanosensing in T cell activation, and describe the development of hydrogel systems with tunable rigidity for cell activation. Finally, we illustrate 3D printed systems to control immune cell behaviour through the integration of soluble and biophysical cues at the micro- and macro-scale. 

Bio:
Dr. Derfogail Delcassian is currently a Marie Curie Fellow based jointly between the University of Nottingham, Harvard Medical School and MIT, and the founder of BiohackCancer.  Her research interests are in immunoengineering, combining her expertise in chemistry, materials science, immunology and nanomedicine. Dr. Delcassian designs biomaterials to direct and control immune cells inside and outside of the body. She is developing cell therapy products with controlled activation to treat cancer, and nucleic acid vaccines to prevent transplant organ rejection by the immune system. To do this, Dr. Delcassian engineers biomimetic interfaces, artificial cells/lymph nodes, and targeted drug and gene delivery approaches to train and instruct immune cells. Dr. Delcassian has attracted significant independent peer-reviewed funding and has been awarded a number of national and international awards to support her research. Alongside her research, Dr. Delcassian is passionate about the translation of healthcare research from the bench to patients. She is the founder of BiohackCancer; an organisation which supports cancer patients and oncologists gaining early access to cancer therapies.

Zoom link for attending remotely: https://epfl.zoom.us/j/618422807