Using sound waves to improve cell engineering for cancer treatment

Acoustic microvortices instrumentation for dosage controlled, high efficiency cell engineering

NIH-funded research University of California-Irvine · NIH-11089522

This study is testing a new way to improve cancer-fighting immune cells called CAR T cells, using sound waves to help make them safer and more effective for patients, especially those who might benefit from treatments made from healthy donors.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California-Irvine NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Irvine, United States)
Project IDNIH-11089522 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing a new technology called Acoustic-Electric Shear Orbiting Poration (AESOP) to enhance the engineering of immune cells, specifically CAR T cells, for cancer therapy. By utilizing acoustic microvortices, the approach aims to deliver genetic modifications to these cells in a controlled manner, improving their effectiveness and safety compared to traditional methods. The goal is to create universal CAR T cells that can be derived from healthy donors, minimizing the risk of immune rejection. Patients may benefit from more effective and safer cancer treatments as a result of this innovative technology.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with cancers that may be treated with CAR T cell therapies.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have cancer or those whose cancers are not suitable for CAR T cell therapy may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer and more effective cancer immunotherapies for patients.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research in gene editing and nonviral transfection methods has shown promise, indicating that this approach could be a significant advancement in the field.

Where this research is happening

Irvine, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions anti-cancer immunotherapyanticancer immunotherapycancer immunotherapyCancers
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.