Development of simple methods to isolate group 2 innate lymphoid cells

Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) are recently discovered lymphocytes that have innate ability to produce a specific set of hormone-like proteins called cytokines. While the importance of ILC2s in allergic diseases including asthma have been implicated by recent reports, the progress in our understanding of ILC2s has been hampered by the fact that they are rather rare lymphocytes and difficult to detect or isolate. The goal of our project is to develop rapid and simple method to isolate ILC2s from mice and humans. We plan to combine our knowledge and experience in mouse ILC2s with the cell separation technologies of the partner organization STEMCELL Technologies Inc. to develop ILC2 isolation kits. The kits to be developed will become invaluable tools for interns’ own researches. The kits will also become new products for STEMCELL. They will likely become popular and profitable products.

Faculty Supervisor:

Fumio Takei

Student:

Partner:

STEMCELL Technologies Canada Inc

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology; Biotechnology; Life Sciences (not health)

University:

The University of British Columbia

Program: