Stories

Unconventional paths and microbial communities 

Unconventional paths and microbial communities - postdoc highlight of Margaret Thairu. "The overall goal of my current projects is to better understand microbial community function."

Serendipity reveals new method to fight cancer with T cells

A promising therapy that treats blood cancers by harnessing the power of the immune system to target and destroy cancer cells could now treat solid tumors more efficiently. Thanks to a recent study from Dan Cappabianca and Krishanu Saha at the Department of Biomedical Engineering and the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery published in Molecular Therapy – Methods & Clinical Development, Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy can be improved by altering the conditions the T cells are grown in. And it was all discovered by chance.

Researchers Develop Advanced Gene Editing Techniques to Boost T Cells in Cancer Treatment

A new study from the Krishanu Saha lab suggests using CRISPR technology to optimize natural immune responses by bioengineering and remodeling T cells. Using a multiplexing technique, the team addresses key challenges in current cancer therapies that could significantly improve treatment outcomes. "We have developed a new way to engineer immune cells to fight cancer more safely and effectively. Think of it as reprogramming the body’s own soldiers (T cells) to recognize and attack cancer cells," says Cappabianca.

Sticking to Success: Unveiling the Surface-Adhesion Superpowers of Bacteria

Scientists at WID, University of Wisconsin–Madison, find that 'stickiness' helps some soil microbes thrive by aiding surface colonization. What makes them sticky?