Rapid advances in gene engineering make the previously unimaginable rapidly accessible. The Smith Lab for Genetic and Cellular Engineering uses synthetic biology to address our missions of: (1) answering pressing questions around the biology of immunotherapy; (2) engineering novel platforms and products to advance the field of gene and cell therapy; and (3) rapidly translate these innovations into therapies for patients. 

As an example of translational laboratory research, CAR T cell therapies stemming from our work have been translated to the clinic targeting known and novel antigens. We identified GPRC5D as a novel antigen for the immunotherapy of the blood cancer multiple myeloma and engineered CAR T cell therapies targeting it (Smith EL et al. Science Transl Med. 2019; Fernandez C… and Smith EL. Blood Cancer Discovery. 2020). We then led the clinical translation into a first-in-class academic trial (Mailankody S… and Smith EL. NEJM 2022). There are both more than 10 clinical trials and awarded or pending patents stemming from our work. 

We currently use hematologic and solid tumors as models to develop and investigate next-generation platforms for gene and cell therapies, including addressing the challenges of persistence, in vivo delivery, the suppressive tumor microenvironment, immunologic crosstalk, and novel engineering approaches.  We work closely with the IMmunotherapy Platform for Antibody and CAR Therapeutics discovery (IMPACT; Dr. Smith founding faculty director) to conduct antibody discovery and engineering of libraries for high throughput functional screening and characterization. We additionally work closely with our neighbors at the Connell O’Reilly GMP Cell Manipulation Core Facility at Dana-Farber, to translate these advances to the clinic.

Our core values include, first and foremost, conducting science that will advance the field and improve the lives of patients. To achieve this goal we foster an environment that values trust, diversity, mentorship, and team science. Trust: we strive to be a place of respect (and fun) and one where everyone feels safe to challenge each other to elevate our science. Diversity: of people and ideas will strengthen our science and enrich our experience. Mentorship: to bring out the best of every person who joins our team. Team science: as a member of Dana-Farber, Harvard Medical School, the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Mass Brigham, the i3 (Immune-Engineering to Improve Immunotherapy) Center at the Wyss Institute, the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Wellcome-Leap R3, and situated in Boston, the greatest city in the world for academic and biotech innovation; the rich collaborations and resources in our community shape our work.

Mentorship. I am deeply committed to the growth and success of each trainee that joins the lab. I believe that mentorship is not something that happens in the background as trainees pursue their research, but should be intentional, thought out, and personalized for each member of the group.​ As a junior faculty member I have the time to meet trainees' individual needs. In regularly scheduled 1:1 and small group meetings with all trainees, I not only guide their scientific growth, but also focus on career goals and development. Our research is multi-disciplinary and exceedingly collaborative. To this end, a mentorship plan will often involve collaborators with complimentary expertise to provide co-mentorship for a trainee's project or grant. Trainees will further benefit from my prior experience translating cell therapy inventions from the lab to the clinic.