MIT Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research

Attention MIT and Dana Farber/Harvard Cancer Center Researchers: The deadline for Bridge Project proposals has been extended! The new deadline is October 15th at 10am EDT Don’t miss this opportunity to send us your proposals for translational cancer research projects. Submit your application - or any questions - to [email protected] For more details: https://mit-ki.org/4e2r1gb

Congratulations to Sangeeta Bhatia for winning the Kendall Square Association's inaugural Founders' Award!

Are you ready to shine the spotlight on your microscopic marvels? MIT students, faculty, and staff - we want your best biomedical images for the 2025 Image Awards. Submit your most stunning biomedical images for a chance to be featured in the 15th annual #KIimages exhibition. The submission deadline is Friday, October 18th. For entry form and details, visit: https://lnkd.in/eMMKMf-7

A team of researchers led by Laura L. Kiessling, Jeremiah A. Johnson, Alex K. Shalek, and Darrell J. Irvine has discovered a new strategy to reprogram immune cells and direct them toward anti-tumor immunity, enabling effective mobilization against cancer cells. This strategy can program immune cells and direct them toward attacking cancer. This research shows how virus-like particles, coated with glycans, can trigger a powerful immune response by activating dendritic cells. These cells, in turn, sound the alarm to T cells, creating a robust anti-tumor response—laying the groundwork for a new generation of tumor vaccines. Read more: https://mit-ki.org/4esy2GH

New research from Stefani Spranger, published in Science Immunology, has identified the spleen as an important site for generating a tumor-specific T cell response after immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy. Spranger and her team analyzed gene expression in individual CD8+ killer T cells from tumors, draining lymph nodes, and the spleens of mice treated with immune ICB therapy. They discovered a subpopulation of T cells in the spleen whose descendants play a crucial role in anti-tumor responses after ICB. These T cells exist in a state they call “intermediate exhaustion” and depend on low levels of cancer antigens presented by dendritic cells in the spleen to produce descendants that infiltrate tumors and effectively attack cancer cells after ICB therapy. Read more: https://mit-ki.org/4d7dW3Y

Dr. Omer Yilmaz at MIT Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research speaks at 2nd annual translational oncology symposium organized by Sendurai Mani at #LegorretaCancerCenter @BrownUCancer The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University Brown University Dr. Yilmaz spoke about impact of diet, obesity on CRC and lgr5+ intestinal stem cell-initiated cancer, finds an additional population of progenitor initiated cancer cells, studies how they evade immune detection, epigenetic changes, SOX17 and response of IFN-gamma, fasting, reseeding and mTORC, polyamines, and protein synthesis. Shiyoko Cothren, MHA, FACHE Robert W. Sobol Jr. Liang Cheng Benedito A. Carneiro, MD, MS Michelle R Dawson Patrycja Dubielecka Sean Lawler Sheldon Holder Howard Safran Don S. Dizon Stephanie Graff, MD, FACP, FASCO Christopher Azzoli Jeremy Warner Bess Marcus Neil Sarkar Roxanne Wood Andrew Schumacher Julie Abilheira Sharon Rounds Alex Raufi Attila Seyhan, PhD Senthil Muthuswamy

KI researchers have revealed how metastatic cancer cells may thrive when they return to their “home”, i.e. tissue of origin. Using genetically engineered mice, the researchers observed that both primary and metastatic pancreatic cancer cells form more aggressive tumors when transplanted back into the pancreas compared to the liver. This suggests that even after spreading, metastatic cancer cells retain a preference for their "ancestral homeland", even after settling elsewhere in the body. This better understanding of the impact of different tissue nutrient environments could influence the treatment selection for patients based on the primary tumor’s pattern of metastasis. https://mit-ki.org/3zkiCp7

Congratulations to Dr. Jeremiah Johnson for winning the prestigious Yosemite-ACS Award! Jeremiah received the award for his pioneering research on overcoming therapeutic resistance through cell-specific targeting of the tumor microenvironment with antibody-bottlebrush prodrug conjugates. This award, part of a $6 million grant initiative by the American Cancer Society and Yosemite, recognizes his dedication and innovative approach to cancer treatment. https://lnkd.in/gKXUqq9R

Attention MIT and Dana Farber/Harvard Cancer Center Researchers:? The deadline for Bridge Project proposals is just days away!? Send your proposals for translational cancer research projects by September 16 at 10am. Submit your application - or any questions - to [email protected] For more details: https://lnkd.in/egp48ECN

?? Heartiest congratulations to the pioneering scientists awarded the prestigious ???????? ?????????? ?????????? ???? ??????????????????????! ?? The #KavliPrize2024 in #Nanoscience laureates - Prof Robert S. Langer from MIT Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Prof Paul Alivisatos from the University of Chicago, and Prof Chad Mirkin from Northwestern University - have made significant scientific contributions at the intersection of materials science, nanotechnology, and medicine. Their innovative work combining nanostructured synthetic materials with biologically active molecules has led to transformative advancements in the field of #nanomedicine. Beyond their scientific breakthroughs, these visionaries have founded companies that translate fundamental science into #biomedical applications, benefitting society. At NTU School of Materials Science and Engineering, we are inspired by their achievements and the immense potential for nanoscience to address global challenges in #healthcare. Their work exemplifies the vital role of interdisciplinary research and materials science in shaping a better future. ?? Join us in celebrating Prof Langer, Prof Alivisatos, and Prof Mirkin's well-deserved recognition! Their contributions will undoubtedly continue to drive innovation and progress across multiple fields ?? ?? https://lnkd.in/eEicr4Gs #KavliPrize #MaterialsScience #Nanotechnology #Nanomaterials #DrugDelivery #BiologicalImaging #QuantumDots #Nanoparticle #NucleicAcid #DNA #Biodiagnostics