Date: 2021-12-26 11:00 ~ 13:00
Speaker: Hokyung Kay Chung (Salk Institute for Biological Studies)
Professor: 생명과학부
Location: https://snu-ac-kr.zoom.us/j/85394435412
Unleashing the full potential of immunotherapy with synthetic biology
Gene and cell therapies are promising cancer treatment modalities. Despite some promises that
genetically engineered T cells and modified oncolytic viruses have shown, the clinical success has been
limited to few cancer types. This calls for a next-generation immunotherapy. I have been exploring
designer immune systems for safe, strong, selective, and persistent anti-tumor effect.
I will first present an immune cell reprogramming platform for better anti-tumor effect. I have generated
an epigenetic and transcriptional atlas which enables the identification of key driver transcriptional
factors that prevent T cell dysfunction and enhance cytotoxicity. In the second part, I will describe a
“theragnosis” technology that rewires aberrant cancer signaling input to a designer output. For example,
I have redirected ErbB hyperactivity in cancer cells to induce a variety of outputs such as apoptosis,
CRISPR/Cas9 activation, and oncolytic virus replication.
In short, my overarching research goal is to unleash the full potential of immunotherapy
combining my expertise in synthetic biology and immunology.