Projects

The immune system not only protects us from pathogens such as viruses and bacteria but also prevents the recognition of our own cells and eliminates damaged, mutated cells. When immune regulation fails, it can lead to the development of autoimmune diseases or cancers, which combined are the second leading cause of death in Europe and the USA. Particularly in developed countries, the incidence and prevalence of these diseases are increasing. Lifelong, aggressive treatment can cause serious side effects, leading to a reduced quality of life and placing a significant burden on healthcare system and economy. This drives the search for innovative and more effective treatment approaches. Cellular immunotherapies using autologous engineered immune cells are at the forefront of several therapeutic strategies that are revolutionizing the treatment paradigms for serious diseases such as cancer and autoimmune disorders and offering potential solutions for diseases with limited therapeutic options.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are a subtype of T lymphocytes that significantly contribute to immune homeostasis, tolerance, and the resolution of immune response after an infection. Errors in Treg cell development can result in autoimmunity, allergies, or even life-threatening immune deregulation. Due to their immunosuppressive properties, they are also considered as a therapeutic option for treating autoimmune diseases, preventing graft rejection, and preventing graft-versus-host disease. On the other hand, their excessive immunosuppressive function in the tumor environment often leads to poor prognosis for cancer patients and hinders the success of anti-tumor treatment.

Understanding the biology and properties of Treg cells is therefore essential for developing new approaches to treating autoimmune diseases. The project’s goals are to transfer the knowledge of phenotype analysis, isolation, and engineering of primary immune cells that I acquired abroad to the National Institute of Biology and to familiarize myself with the method of RNA sequencing and bioinformatics data analysis. The project’s objectives encompass experimental work and the transfer and dissemination of knowledge.

Total financial value of the project: 267.480 € (NOO: 267.480 €).

Link to the plan's unified website noo.gov.si