engineered mesa receptor projects

Multiple sclerosis, and autoimmunity broadly, is complicated, so we are making a tool with which to study it more closely. Our tool consists of genetically engineered human cells that detect biomolecules and produce a fluorescent or bioluminescent signal. We can measure this signal outside the body to see when a particular biomarker is upregulated. Right now, we are fine tuning the “sensing” portion of our tool by designing and testing synthetic cell receptors that bind to biomarkers of multiple sclerosis. Most of these receptors are of the style Modular Extracellular Sensor Architecture (MESA). We are also working on hydrogel cell encapsulation for later in vivo testing.

-Gabi Garza, 3rd Year Graduate Student, BME

  Sepsis is a serious and sometimes life-threatening condition that happens when the body’s immune system goes into overdrive in response to an infection. Currently, sepsis diagnosis relies on monitoring vital signs, assessing for signs of confusion or altered mental status, and evaluating specific lab values. However, this approach can be slow and can delay the start of treatment. Since how quickly treatment is initiated can impact patient outcomes, I am interested in developing faster, more accurate ways to detect sepsis using synthetic biology. My overall goal is to develop a detect-and-treat cell therapy for sepsis using a special type of synthetic receptor known as Modular Extracellular Sensor Architecture (MESA). This involves developing the MESA system to turn on in response to biomarkers related to sepsis in addition to finding therapeutics that can be integrated into a synthetic system to tamper the inflammatory response once sepsis is detected. I hope that this work can one day help with how clinicians approach sepsis detection and treatment! 

-Sonja Danon, 3rd Year Graduate Student, CMB