The Lineberger Cancer Center’s University Cancer Research Fund has selected a proposal from Nancy Allbritton and Paul Armistead for one of its Innovation Awards! The collaboration plans to use microwell based live-cell arrays developed in Dr. Allbritton’s lab to screen, select, and isolate T-cells that are cytotoxic against a patient’s own leukemia blasts. If the work proves to be successful, this strategy could lead to personalized adoptive cellular therapy for the treatment of leukemia.
Reviewers noted that the proposal’s strength comes not only from its innovative approach, but also from the combination of biomedical engineering expertise with cancer research expertise. The Lineberger Cancer Center received 34 proposals for this round of Innovation Awards; six projects have been chosen for funding. Their work begins August 1, 2014 and will run until June 30, 2016.
Congratulations to both Dr. Allbritton and Dr. Armistead on the receipt of this selective award!