Matching immune receptors to cancer targets
MATCHMAKERS
We are building advanced computer tools that learn from real immune and tumor samples to predict which T cells will recognize cancer targets and help guide personalized immunotherapies for people with cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11514459 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project combines large-scale lab data and cutting-edge machine learning to figure out how T cells see tumor antigens. Researchers will collect matched T cell receptor and antigen pairs from people and from mouse models, measure their 3D structures and functions, and create synthetic pairs in the lab to broaden the dataset. Those data will train AI models to predict and design TCRs that bind specific cancer antigens. The aim is to create tools researchers and clinicians can use to develop safer, more effective antigen-specific immunotherapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with cancer whose tumors are being studied for antigen-specific immune responses or who can donate blood or tumor samples for research.
Not a fit: People without cancer or patients seeking immediate changes to their medical treatment are unlikely to receive direct clinical benefit from this research during the project timeframe.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to better matching of a patient's immune cells to tumor targets and faster development of personalized T-cell therapies.
How similar studies have performed: Related studies combining structural biology and machine learning have shown promise, but this large-scale matched TCR–pMHC approach is more ambitious and remains largely unproven in clinical practice.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- University of Washington — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Baker, David — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Baker, David
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.