PhD Candidate Profile: Hadi Seyedzadeh

What is your research about?

My PhD project is focused on deciphering a new dimension of T cell immune response against cancer cells. Using a novel 3D bioprinter, I aim to simplify the complex interaction between antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes and cancer cells and understand the reasons for the immune response failure. In this context, one of the main questions is how the environment surrounding the cancer cells can affect the killing potential of T cells. In other words, we manipulate the physical properties of the extracellular matrix to assess how the anti-cancer CTL immune response will change. Using a murine model of specific T cell response against non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, we intend to understand how primary immune and cancer cells behave in a new ex vivo bioprinted 3D cell culture.

What is the translational application of your research?

My research will be one of the first steps to establish a high-throughput in vitro functional analysis of the T cells against cancer cells via 3D biopriner. This will allow us to study the effects of the extracellular matrix on T cells response quality. Moreover, using different matrix properties and cancer cell organisations, we can explore more complex spatial conditions of crosstalk between T cells and cancer cells. At the next level, primary human cells can be applied in this system, and eventually, by using the cancer patients' samples, this may enhance the capability of personalised anti-cancer treatment. Optimisation of the efficacy of CAR-T cells is another possible application of my research in future.

How would the TCRN PhD top-up Scholarship help you succeed?

Being a member of TCRN provides a great chance to network with other researchers and gives me an invaluable source of support to augment my research. Besides, I would have an excellent opportunity to engage with consumers and apply their feedback to my current and prospective research. Moreover, the top-up will help me better manage the financial difficulties of studying PhD and allow me to spend more time on my research and, eventually, writing the thesis and publications.