WEHI Onco-immunology seminar series hosted by the WOW Committee 

Dr Emma Petley

Research Officer - Call Laboratory, Structural Biology division - New Medicines & Advanced Technologies Theme, WEHI

Mucosal-associated invariant T cells in cancer and their potential use in CAR T cell therapy

Davis Auditorium

Join via TEAMS

Including Q&A session

 

Emma Petley completed her PhD at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, where she investigated the role of mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells in cancer. Her studies revealed that MAIT cells can regulate natural killer (NK) cell activity, where in the absence of MAIT cells, NK cell maturation and anti-tumour activity are enhanced. Paradoxically, activated MAIT cells can promote the anti-tumour activity of NK cells. As MAIT cells are not restricted to conventional MHC and therefore represent a potential universal donor cell, Emma also investigated the use of MAIT cells in chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy.

Emma briefly left research to work as a clinical trial and research manager at the Epworth Hospital, primarily focusing on patients with haematological malignancies. However, she couldn’t stay away from research and recently joined the Call Lab, where she is assessing the oligomeric state of CAR-T cells in immunological models.

All welcome!