SBME Research Seminar - Dr. Hannah Carter
Immune Checkpoint Blockade (ICB) has revolutionized cancer treatment, however mechanisms determining patient response remain poorly understood. We used machine learning to predict ICB response from germline and somatic biomarkers and studied feature usage by the learned model to uncover putative mechanisms driving superior outcomes. Patients with higher T follicular helper infiltrates were robust to defects in the class-I Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC-I). Further investigation uncovered different ICB responses in MHC-I versus MHC-II neoantigen reliant tumors across patients. Despite similar response rates, MHC-II reliant responses were associated with significantly longer durable clinical benefit (Discovery: Median OS=63.6 vs. 34.5 months P=0.0074; Validation: Median OS=37.5 vs. 33.1 months, P=0.040). Characteristics of the tumor immune microenvironment reflected MHC neoantigen reliance, and analysis of immune checkpoints revealed LAG3 as a potential target in MHC-II but not MHC-I reliant responses. This study highlights the value of interpretable machine learning models in elucidating the biological basis of therapy responses.
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UBC School of Biomedical Engineering Presents: An Informative Online Session on the Amplitude Ventures Pre-Amp Fellowship Program
December 4, 2023 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm PST
Join us for an enlightening session and discover how you can transition from a brilliant scientist to a great entrepreneur. Explore the Pathway to Biotech Entrepreneurship with Insights from Past Fellow, Rohit Singla.
Presenter: Allyson Tighe from Amplitude
Registration: Registration required for this session. Register here.
Location: Online (Link provided upon RSVP)
About the Pre-Amp Fellowship:
Spearheaded by Canada’s leading life science VC firm, Amplitude Ventures, the Pre-Amp Fellowship focuses on creating life-changing health science companies. Engage in a three-month, hands-on exploration from June to August, working in teams to develop hypotheses for novel healthcare ventures. Fellows leverage diverse scientific fields, from machine learning in drug development to next-generation gene editing, to ideate world-changing concepts. This is not just an incubator or accelerator; it’s a rigorous program to transform scientific observations into impactful healthcare innovations. Past Fellows have progressed to impactful roles in technology incubation, venture firms, and as associates at Pre-Amp, shaping the future of biotech ventures.
What You’ll Gain:
Alternate Academic Path: A blend of imagination, translational science, and rigorous scientific thinking, offering a different trajectory than traditional academia.
Practical Experience: Full-time, paid roles, and opportunities for mentorship, with a mix of virtual and in-person sessions across Canada.
Eligibility: Open to outstanding life science-focused PhD candidates, postdocs, MDs, and inventors with a self-starter mentality and a readiness for employment.
Application Process:
Apply to the Pre-Amp Fellowship.
Deadline: Rolling basis until March 31st, 2024.