Ameneh Gharabi Sciences
A Cysteine-Reactive Compound Screen to Identify Novel Regulators of Foxp3 Expression
Scholars Journal
In modern cancer therapy, using the immune system (immunotherapy) to treat cancer has become a new reality. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are a unique subset of immunosuppressive CD4+ T cells that control the potency of our immune system, preventing autoimmune disease. However, high Treg percentages in tumors have been shown to avoid potent immune responses against cancer cells. Reduced Foxp3 expression in Tregs, a critical Treg transcription factor, reduces the immunosuppressive function of Tregs. Therefore, finding mechanisms to target Foxp3 expression in Tregs is interesting from a therapeutic perspective. Ameneh's project focuses on finding regulators of Foxp3 by using a reactive-chemical screen to identify modulators of Foxp3 expression. She will employ cell culture, flow cytometry, and CRISPRi techniques to test and validate compounds identified to modulate Foxp3.
Major: Molecular & Cell Biology
Mentor: Michel DuPage, Molecular & Cell Biology