Ask the Experts: utilizing flow cytometry in cell and gene therapies
In this feature, we interview experts and key figures from pharma and academia for their perspectives on the use of flow cytometry in cell and gene therapies (CGTs). Our experts for this feature also take a look at recent developments of CGTs and how flow cytometry has been utilized in these developments.
Meet the experts
Dr Fuqin (Jenny) Zhang is a Group Leader of Biologics Services at Frontage Laboratories, Inc. (PA, USA). She received her PhD in immunology from Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Shanghai, China). Her PhD project, completed at the University of Pennsylvania (PA, USA) microbiology lab, focused on the epigenetic regulation and recovery of T cell exhaustion. Before joining Frontage in 2019, Dr Zhang worked as a postdoctoral fellow and research investigator in the immunology CAR-T department at the University of Pennsylvania. At Frontage, Dr Zhang is responsible for immunoassay development and validation, as well as communication with clients on deliverables. She has strong expertise in PK, PD, immunogenicity and biomarker assays based on various platforms, including flow cytometry, enzyme-linked immunosorben assay (ELISA) and MSD electrochemiluminescence. Working in a GLP- and CLIA-regulated environment, she has been helping biopharmaceutical companies with preclinical and clinical drug development in the fields of immuno-oncology, blood cancers and others.
Dr Girish Kumar Srivastava is a senior researcher of Valladolid University (Valladolid, Spain) and is Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of ALLBIOSOLUTION (ISSN 2605-3535). He holds a master’s degree and PhD in molecular and cellular immunology from Granada University (Granada, Spain) and a master’s degree in molecular biology and biotechnology from Govind Ballabh Pant University (Pantnagar, India). He holds DBT, CSIR and AECID fellowships. His research interests include stem cell therapy, regenerative medicine and neuroprotection for retina, anti-oxidant-based product development and medical device safety and quality assurance for the industry. He has three patents, two of which have transferred to industry. Girish is a proposal evalutor for European COST program, ANEP, MINECO, ANPCyT etc. as well as many other public and private entities.
Click on our experts’ names to read their answers!
Questions
- How has flow cytometry recently contributed to the field of cellular and genetic therapeutics?
- Flow cytometry has been utilized for the immue monitoring of CAR-T cells. What are the next cellular targets for therapy that can be monitored with flow cytometry?
- What are some important aspects to consider when deciding on the bioanalytical techniques during cell and gene therapy studies?
- How does the quantitation of cell populations aid in the development of cell and gene therapies?
- What capabilities does flow cytometry bring to cell and gene therapy development that make it a favorable bioanalytical tool in the laboratory?
- What are the bioanalytical challenges to implementing flow cytometry into cell and gene therapy developments?
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