Viktor Kostohryz

Nonviral episomal vectors for effective and safe generation of CAR-T cells

Lector: Ondřej Slabý

Institution: Masaryk University, Faculty of Medicine

Field: Biochemistry and molecular biology

 

About the project

CAR-T cell therapy is a recent advancement in the area of oncology. It allows for reliable treatment of leukemias. Cells in this therapy are genetically engineered to aim at specific cancerous cells and selectively destroy them. This treatment has recently been associated with a rare secondary leukemia that is derived directly from CAR-T cells - this fact limits a possible wider use of this effective treatment. That is why we set to produce CAR-T cells safely using non-viral episomal vectors.

 

Why science?

I see a certainty in scientific knowledge that draws me to science in an otherwise rather chaotic world. In addition, I also think that biology in the 21st century has many findings that still remain to be applied in some way - for example, in medicine. This is also why I am interested in cell and gene therapies.

 

What do I like most about Brno

Despite its size, Brno is home to several emerging research institutions, which already operate at a level of quality equal to other top scientific centers in Europe. CEITEC and CREATIC are among them and I am happy to be part of these projects.