November 18

Research Webinar Series: What Does It Mean to Be Immunocompetent? Examples From Cancer, Transplantation, and Infection

Webinar (Please email tecpad@chla.usc.edu if you wish to register)

Presented by

Holden Maecker, PhD
Professor, Microbiology & Immunology
Stanford University

Summary

There is no consensus on the metrics that define a healthy immune system in humans.  Our lab uses CyTOF mass cytometry to measure immune cell subsets and functions, and correlates these with clinical outcomes.  In melanoma, we find memory T cell subsets that appear to predict response to CTLA-4, but not PD-1 inhibitors.  In organ transplantation, we see cell types and functions that vary over time and in comparison to healthy controls.  And in COVID-19, we find progressive suppression of specific cell types and functions with increasing disease severity.  Such studies can help define the boundaries of healthy immune function.

About the Speaker

Holden Maecker received a BS in Microbiology from Purdue University and a PhD in Cancer Biology from Stanford University.  He did postdoctoral work with Ronald and Shoshana Levy at Stanford, and was an Assistant Professor of Biology at Loyola University Chicago, as well as a Senior Scientist at BD Biosciences, San Jose, CA.  He is currently a Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, and Director of the Human Immune Monitoring Center, at Stanford University.  His research focuses on measuring immune competence, and how specific cellular immune responses correlate with immune protection.

Hosted by

Shahab Asgharzadeh, MD
Director, Neuroblastoma Basic and Translational Program
Attending Physician; Hematology, Oncology and Blood and Marrow Transplantation
Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of USC

Additional Information

Brought to you by TSRI Office of Training, Education, Career Planning & Development (TECPAD)

Registration is required, email tecpad@chla.usc.edu to receive link.

Download flyer here