The new Columbia Initiative in Cell Engineering and Therapy (CICET) has appointed Michael Sadelain as the inaugural director.

Michael Sadelain, MD, PhD, has been announced as the inaugural director of the Columbia Initiative in Cell Engineering and Therapy (CICET). As a part of a university-wide initiative to expand Columbia’s research of cell and gene therapies, CICET aims to advance and innovate the field further. Sadelain also serves in the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center as the Director of the Cancer Cell Therapy Initiative.

Sadelain is renowned for his groundbreaking work in chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) immunotherapy. He utilizes genetic engineering to convert a patient’s immune cells into targeted treatments for blood cancers. This approach has advanced the treatment options of difficult-to-treat leukemia. 

The 2017 FDA approval of CAR-T therapies marked the creation of a new class of treatments based on T cell engineering. Sadelain’s team remains focused on enhancing the safety and effectiveness of these therapies. He has received several prestigious awards, including the Breakthrough Prize, the Canada Gairdner International Award, and the Warren Alpert Foundation Prize. Through CICET, Sadelain hopes to broaden the application of cell engineering to treat various cancers and other conditions, ensuring equitable access to these therapies for patients with unmet medical needs. 

Columbia anticipates CICET will attract leading scientists hoping to revolutionize work in disease modeling, bioengineering, genome editing, systems biology, synthetic biology, AI, and more. The launch of this initiative is anticipated to bridge different Columbia disciplines, integrating efforts from schools such as the School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) and Columbia Medical School. 

Sadelain’s appointment is part of Columbia University’s ongoing commitment to advancing biomedical research. Earlier this year, Columbia’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons began constructing a new biomedical research building in Washington Heights. 

According to a Columbia University Irving Medical Center announcement, Sadelain believes “Cell engineering holds great promise for treating and eventually curing a wide array of diseases” and he looks forward to collaborating with experts across Columbia to realize the potential of the cell engineering field.

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