CRISPR-Cas9-based screening and engineering of novel biologics to target the vulnerabilities of primary and recurrent glioblastoma

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary adult brain tumor. Even with surgery, standard chemotherapy, and radiation, tumor recurrence and patient relapse are inevitable with a median survival rate of <15 months. The overall goal of this proposal is to identify new targets for treatment by using cutting edge CRISPR technology to screen for molecular interactions in GBM. Identification of new therapeutic targets that drive GBM that is resistant to current treatment will allow us to continue our work toward developing novel immunotherapies that harness the immune system and target specific cell surface receptors on GBM cells. Our ultimate goal is to undertake preclinical evaluation of novel potential therapeutic antibodies using our unique animal model of human GBM recurrence. Promising lead targets and novel therapeutics will be translated into early clinical development at the partner organization, CCAB, and its network of industry partners and start up companies with the hope of generating novel targeted therapies to GBM

Faculty Supervisor:

Sheila Kumari Singh;Sachdev Sidhu;Jason Moffat;Jason Moffat;Sachdev Sidhu;Sheila Kumari Singh

Student:

Partner:

Centre for the Commercialization of Antibodies and Biologics

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

McMaster University; University of Toronto

Program: