We actively recruit talented postdocs, Ph.D. students, MS students, and undergraduate researchers. If interested, send an email to ankur.singh@gatech.edu
Research Synopsis
Our research centers on creating synthetic biomaterials-based “living” human immune tissues as organoids or on-chip to recapitulate structural and functional aspects of lymph nodes. The immune organoids communicate dynamically with B and T cells and regulate the immune response. Using engineering principles, we study cellular and biophysical crosstalk among lymphoid tissues with immune cells and their tumors. Our lab investigates the decision-making in immune cells at the cellular, molecular, and epigenetic levels to protect from infections, cancer, and inflammation. Our research also seeks to deepen the understanding of molecular mechanisms driving lymphomas, focusing on the health disparities in patients who are identified as a higher-risk population than other groups. This work aims to illuminate the biological factors contributing to these disparities and improve treatment strategies. In parallel, we address the reduced immune responses observed in elderly populations, particularly their diminished ability to mount robust and sustained responses to new antigens linked to impaired T-cell and B-cell interactions. Our lab develops nanoscale technologies to modulate trajectories of immune cells in aging, metabolic disorders, and infectious diseases.
We have four major directions:
- Multiscale Engineering of Immune Cells and Lymphoid Organisms: We are interested in developing ex vivo immune organoids and on-chip technologies to understand how B and T cells interact in the immune system to make antibodies. We are also interested in multiscale engineering strategies for the design and development of B and T-cell-based immunotherapies. The engineered ex vivo immune organs have immunity, cancer, infections, aging, and inflammation applications.
- Cancer Bioengineering: We are interested in understanding how the disruption of normal signaling and epigenetic processes transforms healthy cells into cancer cells. By developing ex vivo “malignant” tissues in a dish or on-chip, we have discovered and advanced new classes of signaling, epigenetic, and immune therapeutics. Our focus areas are immune neoplasms, hematological malignancies, and prostate cancer.
- Engineering Immune-Competent Models for Inflammation and Microbiome-Driven Diseases: Our lab is deeply invested in developing immune-competent models that mimic mucosal and systemic immunity, focusing on inflammatory diseases, the gut microbiome, and lung pathology. By engineering these advanced models, we aim to capture the complex interactions between immune cells, tissues, and microbes that drive inflammation and disease progression. This work will provide crucial insights into immune regulation in the gut and lungs, enabling the discovery of novel therapeutic approaches for conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, microbiome-associated disorders, and respiratory illnesses.
- Nanoscale Modulation of Immune Cells: Our lab focuses on the bioengineering of nanowires to enable highly efficient genetic engineering of non-activated naive T cells. This innovative technology provides a powerful platform for generating gene-modified T cells with enhanced therapeutic potential, maximizing their efficacy in immunotherapy applications. We aim to revolutionize the development of next-generation cell-based therapies by overcoming traditional barriers to T-cell modification. We are interested in studying mechanisms through which the signaling and epigenome programs the normal and disease-specific immune responses.
Research in our laboratory is supported by the National Institute of Health (NIAID; NCI, NIA, NCATS, and NIBIB), Wellcome Leap, the Department of Defense, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, the National Science Foundation, 3M, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, NSF CMaT, Industry sponsors, and seed funds.