Basic studies on tolerance in transplantation:
My basic research focuses on using regulatory T cells (Tregs) to reprogram the immune system so it accepts transplants without the need for toxic drugs. By testing these specialized cells in preclinical models, my NIH-funded studies have successfully demonstrated how combining Treg therapy with specific immune-blocking treatments can restore long-term health and organ function.
Pre-clinical development of therapeutic Treg:
In collaboration with experts at the University of Minnesota, I have adapted and optimized specialized protocols to bring regulatory T cell (Treg) therapy to solid organ transplantation. By refining isolation and culture techniques, I successfully improved production purity to the high standards required for use in clinical trials.
Multidisciplinary research initiative on organ cryopreservation:
In a groundbreaking collaboration with engineering experts, I am developing a method to "bank" organs by cooling them to ultra-low temperatures without damaging ice formation. By using iron nanoparticles and radiofrequency heating, we can safely and uniformly rewarm these organs, a feat never before reproducibly accomplished in transplant medicine.
Basic studies in antigen-specific Treg:
Building on my previous findings, my current research focuses on engineering human regulatory T cells to be more potent by specifically targeting the donor organ. By using advanced gene-transfer and CAR-T cell technology, we are developing specialized immune cells designed to transition these promising laboratory discoveries into life-changing clinical treatments.
Clinical use of Treg in transplant:
Building on our successful lab studies, we are launching clinical trials at the University of Minnesota to test Treg infusions in solid organ transplant recipients for the very first time. Supported by the NIH and a national research consortium, these trials—along with a separate study on stem cell infusions—mark an exciting leap from basic science to real-world treatments aimed at achieving drug-free transplant survival.