Reversible cell modification by transfer of proteins, mRNA, DNA to optimize transplantation (C04)

• Subject Area: Hematology, Oncology
• Term: from 2007 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 24899777

The development of new cellular therapies goes hand in hand with genetic modifications to optimize cellular homing, function or fate. Due to the potential risk of insertional mutagenesis in some transduced cells, the reversible delivery of therapeutic molecules could be very important. Project C4 has substantially contributed to this field by carefully dissecting retroviral entry and disassembly processes. During the past funding periods, they discovered novel concepts of non-integrating retroviral protein transduction (RPT), retroviral mRNA transduction (RMT) and retroviral episome transfer (RET). In the next funding period, they will further develop the strategy of non-integrating delivery of small regulatory RNAs. In addition, they will use their techniques to improve the engraftment of HSCs after bone marrow transplantation by reversible delivery of homing (e.g. CXCR4) and maintenance factors (e.g. FOXO3A). Furthermore, they will produce designer NK cells expressing a tissue-specific CAR to promote hepatocyte transplantation.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 738: Optimisation of Conventional and Innovative Transplants
• Applicant Institution: Medizinische Hochschule Hannover
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Christopher Baum, until 6/2015; Professor Dr. Jürgen Bode, until 6/2015; Dr. Melanie Galla, since 7/2015; Professor Dr. Thomas Moritz, since 7/2015