# Rationally improving T cell-mediated immunotherapy using Sleeping Beauty mutagenesis

> **NIH NIH K22** · MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER · 2020 · $185,760

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
I, Dr. Laura Rogers, PhD, am currently a mentored postdoctoral researcher at the University of Iowa Holden
Comprehensive Cancer Center. I intend to pursue an independent tenure-track faculty position at a competitive
research institution, so that I may continue to expand the exciting translational cancer immunotherapy project I
have developed during my postdoctoral research career. This project aims to address a major problem in the
dynamic field of cancer immunotherapy, namely, how to help cancer patients who lack intratumoral T cells
respond more robustly to immunotherapy. I have devised a genetic screen approach to identify T cell genes
that impact intratumoral T cell accumulation using Sleeping Beauty (SB) mutagenesis in two
immunocompetent murine models of cancer (melanoma and lymphoma). We have identified a number of novel
candidate immunotherapy targets that may enhance T cell mediated immunotherapies, including CAR-T cell
adoptive transfer and immune checkpoint blockade (anti-PD-1). Aim 1 of this proposal directly tests the impact
of promising candidate, Aak1, on T cell infiltration into tumors and its effect on anti-PD-1 efficacy, and Aim 2
expands on a successful pilot screen in order to identify additional candidates targets that are likely to
synergize with anti-PD-1 therapy. Together these studies will promote the rational design of novel
immunotherapeutic agents to enhance existing cancer therapy. I have extensive experience using SB
mutagenesis, and my current training environment has allowed me to expand my research interests into the
cancer immunotherapy field. The K22 award will be highly beneficial to my transition into an independent
investigator, in part by allowing me to gain technical expertise in bioinformatics analysis as I seek formal
training through the Masters in Bioinformatics program at the University of Iowa. These critical skills will allow
me to fluently address pressing questions within the cancer immunology field, where the complexity of the
tumor microenvironment necessitates a systems biology approach. Finally, my plan to advance to an
independent investigator and establish a competitive independent research program includes applying for R01
level funding for this project in 2018. The K22 award will facilitate this process greatly, as the proposed work
would lay the scientific foundation for a mechanistic grant proposal. Combined with my unique background and
novel approach, NCI's K22 will help me launch a highly impactful, interdisciplinary research career in
translational cancer immunology.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9939485
- **Project number:** 5K22CA225786-02
- **Recipient organization:** MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Laura Marie Rogers
- **Activity code:** K22 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $185,760
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-01 → 2022-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9939485

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9939485, Rationally improving T cell-mediated immunotherapy using Sleeping Beauty mutagenesis (5K22CA225786-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9939485. Licensed CC0.

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