Peng Wei Awarded a SciLifeLab PULSE Postdoctoral Fellowship

The researcher Peng Wei from Pereira Lab was awarded a SciLifeLab PULSE Postdoctoral Fellowship for the project SMARD—Small Molecule-Assisted Cell Reprogramming to cDC1. The SciLifeLab PULSE is a comprehensive Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Cofund postdoctoral program that funded 48 researchers to train them as future leaders in life sciences.

The generation of type 1 conventional dendritic cells (cDC1) represents a promising strategy for cancer immunotherapy, since this cell type plays a crucial role in the activation of anti-tumor responses. The Pereira team has developed an immunotherapy modality based on adenoviral delivery of cDC1-instructing transcription factors (TFs)—PU.1, IRF8, and BATF3 (PIB)—to reprogram cancer cells into cDC1. Yet, viral vectors are challenging to manufacture and represent a costly platform for in vivo reprogramming. Alternatively, small molecules (SMs) offer a safe, cost-effective, and scalable alternative to replace TF-mediated reprogramming.
Peng’s project aims to identify SMs to replace single TFs in the PIB combination and subsequently advance SM cocktails to achieve complete chemical reprogramming to cDC1. Building on a collaboration with Karolinska Institutet, the SMARD project will include high-throughput screening and genomics studies, as well as safety and efficacy evaluations in vitro and in vivo. Ultimately, SMARD’s vision is to develop a SM-based reprogramming immunotherapy capable of promoting robust anti-tumor immunity.