My lab studies the mechanisms governing transgene expression, stem cell engineering, and genetic strategies to enhance immunity against cancer.

The Gene Transfer and Gene Expression Laboratory

The advent of technologies that permit efficient gene transfer in human primary cells creates novel therapeutic perspectives. Based on the use of recombinant oncoretroviruses and lentiviruses, we are investigating how to control transgene expression in vivo in hematopoietic stem cells and how to augment immune responses against tumor cells.

Our current studies on the first topic focus on the role of locus control regions and insulators in regulating the transcription of randomly integrated beta globin transgenes.

With respect to tumor immunity, we are exploring different strategies to target T cells to tumor cells, either by facilitating dendritic cell-T cell interactions or by enhancing the co-stimulation of T cells that engage tumor cells.

The Center for Cell Engineering

Human cells are powerful therapeutic agents. With an expanding array of cell types now under investigation for the treatment of cancer, genetic disorders, infectious diseases, and degenerative disorders, the Center for Cell Engineering (CCE) at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is fostering cutting-edge research on emerging cellular therapies.

The CCE brings together researchers who investigate adoptive T cell therapies, bone marrow and cord blood transplantation, human stem cell biology, and the transfer, regulation and repair of genes in human cells. This unique physician scientist partnership comprises researchers from both Memorial Hospital and the Sloan Kettering Institute who strive to devise and implement breakthrough therapies for cancer and allied diseases.