Frank Lowery, Ph.D.

RESEARCH SUMMARY

My group uses single cell sequencing to study the states of human T cells in cellular immunotherapy. Currently, we are focused on 4 areas of research. First, we are studying archival samples of infusion products delivered as part of Surgery Branch clinical protocols to identify features associated with clinical responses. Second, having described the molecular signatures of neoantigen-reactive T cells in human tumors, we work to predict tumor reactivity of T cell receptor (TCR) clones identified within tumor specimens. Next, we are developing new methods of enriching tumor reactivity within expanded tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) cultures by identifying cell surface markers of tumor reactivity. Last, we study post-treatment tumor samples to discover features associated with tumor resistance or T cell failure. Collectively, we work to identify areas of improvement in Surgery Branch clinical products and develop medicines of the future.