UMass Chan Receives $1.6M Grant for Safer Gene Therapy Research
UMass Chan Medical School has been awarded a $1.6 million federal grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences to enhance the safety of gene therapy delivery methods. The grant supports research led by Phillip Tai, an assistant professor of genetic and cellular medicine, focusing on adeno-associated viral vectors, a common tool in gene therapy. The research aims to improve the safety of these vectors, which are used to deliver genetic material into patients' cells. While gene therapy is generally safe, there are concerns about the potential for vectors to insert genetic material into DNA in ways that could contribute to cancer. Tai's team will use advanced DNA sequencing to study vector interactions with cells and explore redesigns to mitigate risks. 
