Therapeutic/Technology: Gene Therapy (All)
Transplantation of genetically corrected iPSC-microglia for the treatment of Sanfilippo Syndrome (MPSIIIA)
Research Objective This research will discover whether transplantation of stem cell-derived microglia can be used to treat Sanfilippo syndrome, a devastating and currently untreatable childhood neurological disease. Impact If successful, this research will identify a promising new therapeutic approach for Sanfilippo Syndrome and provide the first evidence that stem cell derived microglia could be used […]
Providing a cure for sphingosine phosphate lyase insufficiency syndrome (SPLIS) through adeno-associated viral mediated SGPL1 gene therapy
Research Objective AAV-SPL 2.0 is a gene therapy cure for SPLIS, a lethal childhood disorder of metabolism that causes kidney failure. Our gene therapy may also work in more common fibrotic (scarring) kidney diseases. Impact Our treatment may cure a rare but often fatal genetic disease (SPLIS) for which no specific treatment is available. It […]
Generating deeper and more durable BCMA CAR T cell responses in Multiple Myeloma through non-viral knockin/knockout multiplexed genome engineering
Research Objective We will use integrated gene editing techniques to develop a new CAR-T cell therapy for multiple myeloma treatment Impact Develop an improved CAR-T cell therapy for patients with refractory multiple myeloma and a new manufacturing strategy that circumvents the costs and inefficiencies of viral production. Major Proposed Activities Establish and optimize a CRISPR […]
Optimization of a gene therapy for inherited erythromelalgia in iPSC-derived neurons
Research Objective The goal of this grant is to develop a gene therapy for a rare painful disorder, Inherited Erythromelalgia (IEM). Impact There are currently no FDA approved drugs for IEM, which is caused by a gain-of-function mutation in a sodium channel, Nav1.7. We propose epigenetic repression of Nav1.7 to provide a cure for IEM. […]
New noncoding RNA chemical entity for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.
Research Objective Modified synthetic noncoding RNA molecule Impact Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction Major Proposed Activities Lead optimization Perform extensive preclinical testing and select a therapeutic candidate. Develop and test preliminary potency assays based on mechanistic insights. Demonstration of injury-modifying bioactivity in a clinically-relevant human progenitor cell population. Optimize formulation and dosing for intravenous […]
Human iPSC-derived chimeric antigen receptor expressing macrophages for improved cancer treatment.
Research Objective These studies will produce a new CAR-targeted iPSC-derived macrophage-based cell therapy product for treatment of refractory malignancies such as ovarian cancer. Impact These studies eliminate a bottleneck in macrophage production and enable these cells to be engineered and manufactured in a standardized, off-the-shelf manner, rather than on a patient-specific basis. Major Proposed Activities […]
A universally applicable skin sheet for Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa via next-generation gene editing, iPS cell technology and tissue engineering
Research Objective We will develop a cell therapy for a rare skin disease. Patient-derived iPS cells will be genetically corrected and differentiated into epithelial sheets to be grafted on skin wounds. Impact In this proposal we will develop a universal genetic correction strategy for all COL7A1 which will be a prerequisite for the commercial viability […]
AAV9-Cas13 gene therapy for Angelman syndrome
Research Objective AAV9-Cas13 gene therapy for Angelman syndrome using a first-in-kind mechanism of action that will safely and permanently restore expression of endogenous UBE3A that is deficient in CNS neurons. Impact Angelman syndrome is a rare (1 in 15,000 births) neurogenetic disorder caused by loss of UBE3A in the brain, causing severe developmental delay, ataxia […]
Hypoxia-specific Production of Exosomes from iPSC-derivatives for Myocardial Repair
Research Objective A lead therapeutic candidate will be selected: 1) exosomes from hypoxia-injured iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes (iCMs), 2) exosomal miRNA cluster, and 3) siRNA inhibition of exosomal target gene, Notch3. Impact Effective targeted therapy to restore the injured and vulnerable myocardium is urgently needed to reduce the high mortality of HF patients. Promising discovery of iPSC […]
Combating COVID-19 using human PSC-derived NK cells
Research Objective We propose to generate NK cells with enhanced immunity from gene-edited human PSCs and use the resultant NK cells to kill SARS-CoV-2-infected cells to combat against COVID-19. Impact The use of gene-edited hPSCs as a source for genetically engineered NK cells will allow us to generate effective immunotherapy for COVID-19 that has no […]