Grainger VIP Impact Report

KRISHANU SAHA Associate Professor Department of Biomedical Engineering

Over the past year, our laboratory at the University of Wisconsin–Madison has made significant strides in human cell and gene therapies. Our dedicated team has been at the forefront of pioneering research, contributing original and impactful findings recognized in prestigious publications such as the CRISPR Journal and the Journal of Clinical Investigation . In collaboration with industry leaders like Cellares and Spotlight Therapeutics, we have deepened our engagement, merging cutting-edge science with practical applications. This partnership has enhanced our capabilities, particularly in automation and data analytics, through our work with the Center for Cell Manufacturing Technologies (CMaT), supported by the National Science Foundation and numerous life-science companies. Our biomanufacturing processes have transformed remarkably. We have moved to larger-scale bioreactors and incorporated higher-quality reagents that meet the stringent standards required for clinical-grade work. This scale-up is a testament to our lab’s commitment to excellence and our pursuit of therapies that can make a tangible difference in patients’ lives.

Natural killer cells from the blood were biomanufactured to express a receptor that recognizes cancer. New CRISPR genome editing methods were used to genetically remove an inhibitory receptor and add a synthetic receptor against a cancer antigen (anti-GD2 CAR, chimeric antigen receptor). The Saha lab is developing translational programs that could open new clinical trials involving these engineered cell therapies at UW–Madison and beyond (Shankar et al. bioRxiv).

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