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Principal Investigator

Radosław Zagożdżon MD, PhD, DSc graduated from the First Department of Medicine at the Medical University of Warsaw (MUW). In 1998, he defended his Ph.D. in medical sciences at the Institute of Biostructure, MUW, and his dissertation received an award from the President of the Council of Ministers. From 1997 to 2000, he worked as a physician at the Clinic of Immunology, Transplantology, and Internal Diseases at the Transplantology Institute of MUW. In 1999, he obtained his first specialization in internal medicine. His first postdoctoral fellowship was at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA, where he was appointed as an instructor in 2005. He began his second postdoctoral fellowship in 2008 at University College Dublin in Ireland, where he also worked as a lecturer. Upon returning to Poland in 2012, he became the leader of a research group in the BASTION project (funded by the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme) at the Department of Immunology, MUW. He later led a research project funded by the National Science Centre. In 2016, he earned his habilitation degree. From 2017 to 2023, he served as the head of the Department of Clinical Immunology at MUW. Since October 2023, he has been directing the Laboratory of Cell and Gene Therapy at MUW.
Radosław Zagożdżon is the author or co-author of over 120 scientific publications, including original research and review articles in the fields of immunology, immuno-oncology, and molecular biology of cancer. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7957-2372

Science interests

The activities of the Laboratory of Cellular and Genetic Therapies focus on the development of immunology and the enhancement of the therapeutic potential of the immune system, with particular emphasis on T cells, regulatory T cells (Tregs), chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) technology, and CAR-T/NK cell therapy in personalized immunotherapies.
By utilizing a wide range of state-of-the-art techniques and methodologies to manipulate immune cell functions, we aim to understand the mechanisms of T cell exhaustion and develop strategies to restore their function in chronic infections and cancers. Additionally, our research on the role of Tregs in maintaining immune tolerance and their involvement in autoimmune diseases will allow us to develop methods for selectively modulating their activity to enhance anti-tumor immunity without compromising the overall immune tolerance of the body. Our work on CAR-T therapy focuses on engineering T cells with chimeric antigen receptors to enhance their ability to recognize and destroy cancer cells. We continually optimize CAR constructs to improve the efficacy, specificity, and safety of CAR-T therapies implemented for patient treatment. We also analyze the application of CAR technology in other immune cell types, such as NK (natural killer) cells and macrophages.
We employ the latest techniques for modifying immune system cells, including lentiviral vector transduction and CRISPR/CAS9 technology. These methods allow for the stable introduction of genetic material into cells and achieve high gene transfer efficiency while maintaining precise manipulation of immune cell genomes to create therapeutic cell products.
Using techniques such as spectral flow cytometry, we perform detailed phenotypic and functional profiling of immune cell populations, and through real-time cell analysis (RTCA), we dynamically monitor their functions. The Luminex 200 platform enables high-throughput protein analysis and gene expression profiling. Our research aims to elucidate fundamental mechanisms of immune regulation, and by integrating the latest technologies and scientific collaboration, the knowledge gained is translated into clinical applications, enhancing the chances of patients undergoing immunotherapy.

Equipment

The Northern Lights by Cytek Biosciences is an advanced flow cytometer designed for multiparametric cell analysis. It offers the capability to simultaneously detect multiple fluorescent parameters, enabling detailed examination of complex cell populations. The Northern Lights utilizes spectral technology to capture the full spectrum of fluorescence emission, enhancing detection accuracy and sensitivity. The equipment allows for the extraction of autofluorescence from samples and improves resolution in challenging sample types (e.g., dissociated tumors, lung tissue homogenates). The use of Avalanche Photodiode (APD) detectors, which are characterized by higher sensitivity and fast response times, enables the detection of weak light signals in rare and dim populations. Additionally, the Northern Lights cytometer is equipped with a plate loader for automating sample acquisition using 96-well plates.

The Luminex 200 system by Milliplex is an advanced high-throughput multiplex platform designed for protein analysis and gene expression profiling. It employs the principles of flow cytometry and fluorescence bead-based technology, allowing for the multiparametric detection of up to 100 analytes simultaneously in a small sample volume. The extensive availability of commercial kits and the capability to use custom panels enable the system to be applied to a wide range of samples. Commonly tested samples include blood derivatives such as serum and plasma, cell lysates, cell culture media, and cerebrospinal fluid..

The Gene Pulser Xcell electroporation systems are advanced devices designed for introducing DNA, RNA, and other molecules into cells using electroporation. These devices are widely used in genetic, biotechnological, and biomedical research, enabling efficient transformation of both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. The Gene Pulser Xcell systems are compatible with various cell types, including bacteria, yeast, mammalian cell lines, and protozoa, making them versatile tools for a broad range of research applications. The Gene Pulser Xcell system offers precise control over electroporation parameters, ensuring high efficiency and reproducibility of results, which is crucial for obtaining reliable and consistent data.

The xCELLigence S16 is a sophisticated real-time cell analysis (RTCA) system designed for dynamic monitoring of cellular events. It utilizes impedance-based technology to provide continuous, label-free assessment of cell health, behavior, and function. The S16 model supports 16 wells, making it ideal for various research applications including cell proliferation, cytotoxicity, and migration assays. By eliminating the need for traditional endpoint assays and labels, xCELLigence S16 allows for uninterrupted data acquisition, delivering high sensitivity and reproducibility. This system is widely used in biomedical research, pharmacology, and toxicology, offering precise control and comprehensive insight into cellular processes. The lab is equipped with essential tools and equipment such as biological safety cabinets, CO2 incubators, inverted microscopes, and centrifuges. These facilities support a variety of research activities, including cell proliferation, differentiation, cytotoxicity testing, and genetic studies.

International cooperation

Natural Killer Cell Biology and Cell Therapy Group, Oslo University Hospital, Norway
Section for Cellular Therapy, Radiumhospitalet, Oslo, Norway

Agata Czaplicka; Mieszko Lachota; Leszek Pączek; Radosław Zagożdżon; Beata Kaleta. 2024. "Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell Therapy for Pancreatic Cancer: A Review of Current Evidence." Cells 13, no. 1: 101.
Iga Jancewicz; Magdalena Śmiech; Magdalena Winiarska; Radoslaw Zagozdzon; Pawel Wisniewski. 2024. "New CEACAM-targeting 2A3 single-domain antibody-based chimeric antigen receptor T-cells produce anticancer effects in vitro and in vivo." Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy 73, no. 2: 1-13.
Agnieszka Goral; Marta Sledz; Aneta Manda-Handzlik; Adrianna Cieloch; Alicja Wojciechowska; Mieszko Lachota; Agnieszka Mroczek; Urszula Demkow; Radoslaw Zagozdzon; Katarzyna Matusik; Malgorzata Wachowska; Angelika Muchowicz. 2023. "Regulatory T cells contribute to the immunosuppressive phenotype of neutrophils in a mouse model of chronic lymphocytic leukemia." Experimental Hematology & Oncology 12, no. 1: 1-16.
Mieszko Lachota; Katarzyna Zielniok; Daniel Palacios; Minoru Kanaya; Leena Penna; Hanna Julie Hoel; Merete Thune Wiiger; Lise Kveberg; Wojciech Hautz; Radosław Zagożdżon; Karl-Johan Malmberg. 2023. "Mapping the chemotactic landscape in NK cells reveals subset-specific synergistic migratory responses to dual chemokine receptor ligation." EBioMedicine 96, no. : 104811.
Marta Śledź; Alicja Wojciechowska; Radosław Zagożdżon; Beata Kaleta. 2023. "In Situ Programming of CAR-T Cells: A Pressing Need in Modern Immunotherapy." Archivum Immunologiae et Therapiae Experimentalis 71, no. 1: 1-12.