Concordia researcher receives Génome Québec funding to advance cellular therapy technology

Concordia professor Steve Shih  has received $100,000 in funding over two years from Génome Québec’s Genomics Integration Program to improve how genetic material is delivered into cells, a key process in cellular therapy. Partnering with biotech company DropGenie, Shih is developing a "lab-on-chip" platform to enhance the efficiency and affordability of transfection, a technique used to genetically modify immune cells for immunotherapies. For example, immune cells are injected with genes encoding specific receptors that help them recognize and attack cancer cells. This process strengthens the immune system’s ability to target and destroy diseased cells, making transfection a critical step in producing effective, personalized immunotherapies for cancer and other diseases.

By speeding up cellular therapy development and making it more accessible, this research could lead to better treatments and improved patient care.

Génome Québec awarded over $4.4 million to 12 research teams across the province in this latest round of funding. The program supports collaborations between academic researchers and industry partners to accelerate genomics-based healthcare solutions.