Overview

We study and engineer the innate immune system to improve immunotherapy and implant effectiveness

The innate immune system provides a rapid, initial response to immunological challenges, such as infection, vaccination, and biomedical device implantation. Vaccines are one of the most important innovations in human history, allowing us to eradicate some infectious diseases by utilizing innate cells to initiate highly specific adaptive immune responses. Likewise, biomaterial-based devices such as artificial hips and coronary stents, are implanted every hour of the day to provide lifesaving and quality-of-life improvements – innate immune cells cleanup the damaged tissue from surgical insertion. A challenge for both vaccines and implants is their limited control over these innate immune responses. Recent advances in nanotechnology and material science provide a path to achieve such precision. Our team charts a unique path focused on innate immunity by combining novel engineering platforms, advanced transcriptomics techniques, and targeting of intracellular gene expression networks. We apply this central focus on innate immunity to i) create therapeutics that counter autoimmunity, ii) engineer approaches to fight cancer, and iii) decode tissue-specific innate immune cells surrounding implants.

Lab Resources

Applied Biosystems QuantStudio 7 Pro

The QuantStudio 7 Pro real-time PCR system allows for the analysis of genomic material within a high-throughput system, measuring up to 384 samples in one run. Our system is equipped with both a 384-well setup and ArrayCard reading block for high-throughput gene expression analyses. Combined with the analysis software, our setup can easily analyze qPCR results through relative quantification of the samples.

Applied Biosystems Veriti 96-Well Thermal Cycler

The Applied Biosystems Veriti 96-Well Thermal Cycler allows for DNA amplification and precise PCR optimization. It is equipped with VeriFlex Block technology for parallel testing of multiple condition or parallel sample processing. The user interface simplifies the setup of PCR and other thermal cycling experimental runs.

Invitrogen Qubit 4 Fluorometer

The Qubit 4 Fluorometer is a compact benchtop instrument designed to quickly and accurately measure DNA, RNA, or protein concentration, and also RNA integrity and quality. It utilizes target-specific fluorescent dyes that emits signals only when bound to the target molecule. We use this for our gene expression analysis quality control.

IKA T 25 Easy Clean Digital Solution ULTRA-TURRAX Homogenizer

The IKA T25 Easy Clean Digital Solution ULTRA-TURRAX Homogenizer can be used for dispersing and emulsifying liquid mixtures (e.g., microgels and nanoparticles) as well as for the processing of primary tissue samples via homogenization. This homogenizer works at speeds from 3,000 – 25,000 rpm for volumes ranging from 1 – 2,000 mL. We have two detachable dispersion heads: the IKA S 25 EC – C – 25 G dispersing tool, and the IKA S 25 N – 8 G – ST dispersing tool. The 25 G tool is suitable for high speed, high shear mixing and batch emulsion processes. The 8 G – ST tool has a saw tooth edge and is suitable for processing of fibrous materials including primary tissue samples.

Miltenyi Biotec autoMACS Pro Separator

The autoMACS Pro Separator is a fully automated magnetic cell sorting system designed for high-purity and high-recovery isolations. At its core, the reusable autoMACS column ensures reliable performance, compatible with all MicroBeads and Isolation Kits for diverse sample types, including PBMCs, whole blood, bone marrow, dissociated tissue, and cultured cells. One or two columns can be installed, enabling flexibility between high-purity or high-recovery processes. Integrated into a closed fluidic system, the columns provide operator safety and automated monitoring. With a capacity of up to 4×10⁹ cells, 2×10⁸ labeled cells, or 15 mL whole blood, the system delivers consistent, reproducible results. We primarily use this for isolating subpopulations of primary immune cells.

Miltenyi Biotec MultiMACS Cell24 Separator Plus

The MultiMACS Cell24 Separator Plus is a semi-automated benchtop instrument designed for high-throughput magnetic cell separation. Using MACS Cell Separation Reagents, it enables positive selection or untouched isolation from a wide variety of samples, including whole blood, PBMCs, buffy coat, leukapheresis samples, bone marrow, dissociated tissues, and cultured cells. The system accommodates up to 24 samples simultaneously with the Multi-24 Column Block or 12 larger samples with the Single-Column Adapter. Its permanent 24-well magnet ensures strong retention of labeled cells, while the vacuum-driven Elution Station allows gentle, simultaneous recovery of highly pure, viable cells for downstream applications. We use this to isolate and analyze cell subpopulation phenotypes.

Zeiss Primovert iLED with Fluorescence

The Zeiss Primovert is ideal for routine cell culture applications in brightfield and phase contrast. Additionally, our Primovert lets you evaluate GFP-labeled cells in fluorescence quickly and efficiently by just switching the contrasting technique directly at the stand. The microscope is equipped with phase contrast 4x, 10x, 20x and 40x objective lenses. The LD condenser 0.4 has a 3-position phase slider with Ph0, Ph1, and Ph2 settings. This is located in our cell culture suite that also has a biosafety cabinet, cell culture incubator, centrifuge, bead bath, and other general tools for in vitro studies.