T Cell Immunology & Immunotherapy Lab
Innovating Immunotherapies for Cancer & Allergic Diseases
The T Cell Immunology & Immunotherapy Lab at 91大神 Children鈥檚 in Delaware Valley is developing therapies for cancer and immune related diseases. T cells play a central role in how the body initiates, executes, and coordinates the immune system to fight against infections and diseases.听
In recent years, researchers have made major breakthroughs in improving how T cells attack disease-causing cells, especially cancer cells. This has led to several FDA-approved immunotherapies.听
Our lab is at the forefront developing innovative approaches to make immunotherapies more effective and expand their application to other cancer types, and other diseases.听
We use a wide range of techniques like molecular biology, CRISPR gene editing, flow cytometry, imaging methods, in vitro (cell culture) models and in vivo (mouse) models. By doing this research, we hope to advance the immune system鈥檚 natural strength and ability to fight disease.
Principal Investigator
Zhengyu (Mark) Ma, PhD
Research Scientist
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR RESEARCH 听
- Research Interests
- Outcomes & Impact
Our Areas of Focus
Cancer Immunotherapies听
We are developing T cell therapies using healthy HLA (human leukocyte antigen)-mismatched T cells. These T cells can attack a wide range of cells within a tumor without causing significant damage to healthy cells.听
We are also engineering a special type of T cells called CAR (chimeric antigen receptor) T cells that are highly effective at recognizing cancer cells. We鈥檙e designing conventional CARs to target specific cancer cells and universal CARs that target multiple cancer cells. We hope to make these therapies safer and more effective in treating a wider range of cancer types.听
Immunotherapy for Severe Allergic Diseases
Our team is engineering CAR T cells to find and destroy only the B cells that make immunoglobulin E (IgE), the main protein that causes severe allergies like asthma and food allergies. Because CAR T cells can stay in the body for a long time, this may mean lasting allergy relief or even a cure with a single treatment.
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
Immune checkpoint blockade therapies work by unblocking the immune system, allowing it to better recognize and attack harmful cells like cancer cells. Current therapies mainly target the PD-L1 protein on the cancer cell and its receptor PD-1 on the immune cell, and don鈥檛 work well for everyone. We use a sensitive cell-based approach to identify additional immune checkpoint receptors as targets to improve the effectiveness of these therapies.听
How We鈥檙e Making a Difference
Notable Projects
Developing Allogeneic T Cell Therapy for Cancer
Using gene editing, we are engineering T cells from healthy donors to become active on at the site of tumor. The T cells attack all cells in the tumor regardless tumor antigen expression.
Developing CAR T Cells for Allergic Diseases
Based on promising in vitro data, we are testing a novel CAR design that targets IgE-producing B cells in mouse models.
Identifying Novel Targets for Immune Checkpoint Blockade Immunotherapy Against Cancer
We have established an innovative and sensitive cell-based approach to identify ligands and receptors on the cell membranes of two interacting cells. Using this approach, we are in the process of identifying novel B7 family immune checkpoint receptor as targets.
Identifying Ligands for Orphan Adhesion G-Protein Coupled Receptors (adGRs)
Using the cell-based approach above, we are in the process of identifying unknown ligands for a group of understudied adGRs that play important roles in many physiological and disease conditions.
Research in Context
Our labs contribute to research that informs pediatric care, working in alignment with research centers and focused areas of scientific study at 91大神.
Blood Disorders Research
RESEARCH AREA
We explore blood disorders in children to advance care and outcomes through innovation in diagnostics, treatment, and long-term disease management.
Cancer Research
RESEARCH AREA
Investigators study childhood cancers to improve diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship through discovery science, clinical trials, and systemwide collaboration.
Immunology Research
RESEARCH AREA
We investigate immune system function in children to advance understanding of autoimmune disease, allergy, immunodeficiency, and immunotherapy.