Engineering human NK cells for cancer immunotherapy

Research focus

Our goal is to explore anti-cancer activity of engineered human natural killer (NK) cells and their potential as smart therapeutics. The following specific aims will be investigated:

• Generation of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) NK cells and enhancement of anti-cancer activity by genetic engineering beyond redirection
• Evaluation of the anti-cancer activity of engineered human NK cells in preclinical cancer models using human immune system (HIS) mice
• Functional analysis of genes important for anti-cancer activity of cytotoxic lymphocytes via sequencing and genome editing approaches

Members:

• Christian Münz
• Obinna Chijioke
• Meike Kaulfuss
• Juliane Mietz