1. The Powell Lab is actively investigating the application of immune-based therapy for cancer. Building on interrogations in basic T cell biology in the lab, bench-to-bedside translational immunology is being developed, with a strong focus on T cell-based therapy for cancer. Major areas of focus: Human Cancer Immunotherapy • Natural tumor-reactive T cells • Genetically modified lymphocytes (TCR/CAR) • Cancer vaccination & immunomodulation • Impact of costimulation on T cell function and memory formation • Innovative approaches to genetic engineering of T cells (Universal receptors and approaches) • Novel T cell isolation & expansion methods • Th9 cells in cancer Unique resources: • Viable Primary Human Tumor Cell Bank • Human ovarian cancer cell lines, models • Unique lentiviral/retroviral constructs • Xenograft mouse studies Collaborations: • Protein chemistry (looking for unique protein binding partners with high affinity) • Bispecific antibody production • Sensitive in vivo imaging for antibodies and cells • Costimulatory signal transduction cascades Rotations: available in Spring 2013. • TCR gene cloning • Mouse models of macrophage-involved Inflammatory Disease / Autoimmunity