Immune Booster #6: From Ghana to heat shock with Robert Binder
Aug 13, 2024
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Robert Binder, a Professor at the University of Pittsburgh, discusses his fascinating journey from Ghana to the U.S. and his research on heat shock proteins, vital players in cancer immunosurveillance. He emphasizes the importance of mentoring young scientists and inspiring them through engaging, hands-on experiments. The conversation dives into how heat shock proteins trigger immune responses against cancer cells, their critical roles in developing cancer vaccines, and the complexities of immune responses. It's a riveting look into the intersection of mentorship and cutting-edge research!
Robert Binder emphasizes the critical role of heat shock proteins in cancer immunosurveillance, enhancing our understanding of immune system interactions with tumor cells.
The importance of inspiring and mentoring young students in science is highlighted as crucial for cultivating future scientists and healthcare professionals.
Deep dives
The Journey into Immunology
The speaker shares a lifelong passion for science that began in childhood, driven by a curiosity to understand the workings of the world. Growing up in Ghana, this interest led to pursuing a bachelor's degree before relocating to the United States for further education. At Fordham University, the speaker found their niche in immunology under the mentorship of Dr. Srivastava, focusing on the immune system's recognition of cancer. This pivotal moment solidified their commitment to a career in scientific research, particularly in understanding how the immune system interacts with cancer cells.
Research on Heat Shock Proteins
The research highlights the role of heat shock proteins (HSPs) in the immune response to cancer. These proteins, once released by compromised cancer cells, act as danger signals for the immune system, activating immune cells like macrophages and dendritic cells. The identification of the receptor CD91, responsible for facilitating this interaction, was a significant finding, leading to a deeper exploration of how the immune system recognizes and responds to early tumors. Experiments using genetically modified mice have demonstrated that disruption of the HSP-CD91 pathway results in a higher incidence of cancer, underscoring its importance in cancer immunosurveillance.
Mentoring and Inspiring Future Scientists
The speaker is passionate about nurturing young talent in science, actively engaging with high school students to illustrate the excitement of scientific inquiry. By sharing simple yet impactful experiments, such as tagging viruses with GFP to track their movement, the aim is to ignite interest and passion for a career in science among students. The speaker emphasizes the importance of personalized mentoring, catering to the unique needs and aspirations of each student. This commitment to education and mentorship aims to foster the next generation of scientists and healthcare professionals.
From the American Association of Immunologists 2024 conference in Chicago, Cindy and Brianne meet up with Robert Binder to talk about his career, the research of his laboratory on the role of heat shock proteins in cancer immunosurveillance, and the importance of inspiring students as early as possible to think about science.