Dr. Lance C. Kam from Columbia University will give a talk at SINANO
Academic Report: Engineering Immune Cell Function
Speaker:Dr. Lance C. Kam
Hoster:Prof. Qiangbin Wang
Time: Tuesday 14:30 p.m., 24th March.
Place: D111 SINANO
Abstract: Cells have the remarkable ability to recognize and respond to complex features of their extracellular environment. This seminar will cover our recent efforts in using micro- and nano-scale structures to understand and later control activation of T lymphocytes, key mediators of the adaptive immune response. Specifically, multicomponent patterning of surfaces has revealed that T cell activation is sensitive to the spatial organization of biomolecular ligand. Micro- and nano-scale structures are also effective in promoting long-term expansion of T cells. Together, these technologies provide a powerful approach to improving the use of T cells as a cellular therapy.
Biography: Dr. Lance C. Kam is an Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Columbia University. His laboratory focuses on the development of micro- and nano-scale fabrication techniques inspired by biological and biophysical systems. Current topics focus on the emerging field of immunoengineering, including the role of spatially resolved intracellular signaling, biomechanics, and biomaterial design. Dr. Kam earned his doctorate in Biomedical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and developed the foundations for many of his laboratory's current studies during postdoctoral research at Standford University. His group is currently supported by the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, and the Wallace H. Coulter Foundation.