Louai Labanieh

My research is focused on developing novel cellular-based strategy to treat cancer. In this approach, T cells of the immune system are harvested from a patient’s blood and engineered to display a cancer-targeting molecule, called a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), on the cell surface. After infusion into a patient, the T cells use the CAR to hunt down and kill cancer cells. This approach has recently yielded unprecedented potency against certain refractory cancers. I aim to leverage the immuno-oncology experience in Mackall Lab with the protein engineering and biomolecular design expertise in Cochran Lab to develop the next generation of CAR T cells.