Nicholas M. Beskid

BioE PhD Proposal Presentation

February 19, 2019 3pm.

U.A. Whitaker Building – Room 3115

Advisor:

Julie Babensee, PhD (Georgia Institute of Technology)

Committee: 

Edward Botchwey, PhD (Georgia Institute of Technology)

Andrés García, PhD (Georgia Institute of Technology)

Susan Thomas, PhD (Georgia Institute of Technology)

Jacob Kohlmeier, PhD (Emory University)

Tolerized Dendritic Cells Delivered via PEG-4MAL Hydrogels for Amelioration of Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that causes neurodegeneration and destruction of myelin in the CNS, resulting in physical and cognitive impairments. Currently there is no cure for MS and present treatment strategies can only slow disease progression and come with a myriad of complicated side effects. The purpose of this project is to (1) elucidate structure-function relationships between PEG-4MAL scaffolds and encapsulated dendritic cells (DCs), (2) incorporate adhesive and immunological cues to promote sustained function of tolerogenic DCs post-injection, and (3) evaluate the efficacy of hydrogel-delivered tolerogenic DCs to ameliorate autoimmune disease in a murine model of MS. Work outlined herein will uncover previously uncharacterized relationships between mechanical and adhesive properties of matrices on DC tolerogenicity for informed design of biomaterial delivery strategies. Proposed work will also provide a proof-of-concept treatment strategy for antigen-specific, DC-mediated treatment of MS. Immunological studies are expected to illustrate underlying mechanisms of amelioration and provide insight for further development of treatment strategies against autoimmunity.