Description:

Title: Bioinspired Synthetic Nanobiomaterials for Immunotherapy

Speaker: Evan Scott, PhD / Northwestern University

Kay Davis Professor of Biomedical Engineering & Microbiology-Immunology 

Northwestern University’s McCormick School of Engineering and Feinberg School of Medicine. 

Host: Laimonis Laimins, PhD, Professor and Chair

Topic:

Self-assembled nanobiomaterials that are engineered to achieve specific biodistributions and mechanisms of degradation hold great promise for controlled stimulation of the immune system. Taking advantage of the morphological flexibility of self-assembled systems, we aim to mimic various structures and biochemical mechanisms of pathogens to enhance cell-selective intracellular delivery and treatment efficacy during immunotherapy. We specifically approach this by synthesizing, assembling and optimizing in vitro and in vivo a range of nanostructures loaded with strategically selected combinations of immunostimulants to achieve controlled activation or suppression of inflammatory cells. Here, I will present some of our ongoing work in the area of novel nanobiomaterials development and interactions at the bio/nano interface, as well as recent applications of our materials for the controlled modulation of cells for a variety of therapeutic applications, including cell/organ transplantation, vaccination, and treatment of atherosclerosis and infectious diseases.