Blaine Pfeifer, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Telephone: 617-627-2582
blaine.pfeifer@tufts.edu

Alumni: Graduate Student:

Saba Parsa
University of California, Berkeley

Research Background
My research will use a unique gene and protein engineering approach for the eventual application of anti-cancer immune therapy. Here we intend to design a biological cell (a simple and safe bacterial cell) for the specific delivery of an immune message. The message will be conveyed through the delivery of protein or DNA molecules to cells designed to interpret the message and initiate an immune cascade leading to immunotherapy against a particular disease detailed within the message delivered. Effective antigen delivery holds tremendous immunotherapy potential if a safe, specific, and effective delivery method can be identified. Different methods have been examined showing advantages and disadvantages, but there is still no ideal delivery vehicle to trigger a therapeutic immune response. Our lab is proposing the use of the most comprehensively studied biological microorganism, Escherichia coli, as a biological delivery device. Our goal is to develop E. coli as an effective immunotherapy antigen delivery device through genetic engineering techniques. First, we will genetically modify E. coli to enhance its intracellular delivery mechanisms. Next, the modified bacterial cells will be co-incubated with mammalian immune cells to assess inter-cellular delivery of protein and DNA messages. Using genetic engineering schemes to optimize the cellular delivery could provide a potent, safe, specific, and novel way to improve immunotherapy applications. Successful results will set the stage for therapeutic efforts to test whether this new delivery approach can counter serious diseases such as cancer.

Personal Information
I received my bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from University of California, Berkeley (2005). My research interest is in biological and chemical engineering mainly focusing on pharmaceuticals and novel drug delivery approaches for anti-cancer therapy. My ultimate professional goal is to integrate my chemical/biotechnology engineering skills in improving lives globally. My undergraduate exposure to research was through the Salk Institute (Chory Lab of Plant Biology) in San Diego and the Clark Lab at UC Berkeley. I was born and raised in Tehran, Iran. I am constantly challenging myself and learning through diverse experiences: traveling is a continuous coursework that I take very seriously (visited: Cyprus, Turkey, France, Germany, Spain, UK, Canada, and many parts of US); art (from Chagall to Frida Kahlo), music (from Jazz to Portuguese Fado), literature, languages (Persian and a bit of French and Hindi), Capoeira, skiing (on snow or water), and even Bunjee Jumping keep me philosophizing my personal mantra.

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