The Cutting Edge of Cell-Based Therapy
Getting to the root of rare genetic disorders is the first step towards determining a diagnosis and treatment plan that can provide families with new hope. At St. Louis Children’s, it’s a process that relies on cross-specialty collaboration, bringing together experts from every field to provide the most comprehensive care for kids.
Current State
Thanks to donor support, Washington University physician-scientists have immediate access to three onsite genetics laboratories that offer advanced DNA sequencing – the most powerful genetic test currently available to aid in patient diagnosis. Together, we will grant forward-thinking leaders the freedom to pursue emerging projects that are shaping the future of genomic medicine right here in St. Louis.
Leaders like Megan Cooper, MD, PhD, a pediatric rheumatologist and immunologist whose lab is working to interpret the mechanisms of immune cell control with a focus on natural killer (NK) cell activations and pediatric immune-mediated disease. Through donor funding, her team is actively conducting research on the following projects:
- Genetic sequencing of novel diseases
- Metabolic regular of NK cell activation
- Metabolic regulation of NK cell anti-viral responses
- Enhancing NK cell memory for immunotherapy
The path forward
With your help, we will continue advancing innovation in gene and cell-based therapies, empowering some the world’s leading physician-scientists to apply life-saving research directly into clinical practice.