Course Details
Overview
This intensive 4-day hands-on training program introduces participants to the principles and experimental workflow of CAR-T cell design and engineering.
The course covers key concepts in immunotherapy, CAR structure, antigen recognition, signaling domains, target antigen selection, vector systems, gene delivery, T cell isolation, T cell activation, transduction/transfection setup, CAR-T cell expansion, viability assessment, flow cytometry-based CAR-T analysis, cytotoxicity assays, and translational applications.
Participants will gain practical insight into how CAR-T cell strategies are designed, generated, characterized, and evaluated in research and translational settings.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Understand the principles of immunotherapy and CAR-T cell engineering
- Apply BSL-2 laboratory safety guidelines
- Explain CAR structure, antigen recognition, and signaling domains
- Understand target antigen selection and CAR design strategies
- Compare viral and non-viral gene delivery approaches
- Understand T cell biology, activation, and expansion
- Perform or observe T cell isolation and activation workflows
- Understand transduction/transfection setup for CAR introduction
- Assess CAR-T cell viability and expansion
- Understand flow cytometry principles for CAR-T characterization
- Analyze surface markers and CAR expression
- Understand cytotoxicity assays and functional readouts
- Discuss challenges such as toxicity, resistance, and tumor escape
- Design a basic CAR-T strategy for a selected cancer target
Target Audience
This course is ideal for:
- Master’s and PhD students
- Research assistants and laboratory technicians
- Immunology, oncology, cell therapy, and biotechnology researchers
- Scientists interested in CAR-T and immune cell engineering
- Professionals working in translational research, biotech, or pharmaceutical development
- Participants interested in cancer immunotherapy and next-generation cell therapies
Course Program
Day 1: Introduction to CAR-T Cell Therapy & Experimental Design
Focus: Fundamentals of CAR-T technology
| Time | Activity | Format |
|---|---|---|
| 09:00 – 09:30 | Welcome & Course Overview | Lecture |
| 09:30 – 10:30 | Introduction to BSL-2 Guidelines & Laboratory Safety | Lecture |
| 10:30 – 11:15 | Principles of Immunotherapy & CAR-T Cell Engineering | Lecture |
| 11:15 – 11:30 | Coffee Break | |
| 11:30 – 12:30 | CAR Structure, Antigen Recognition & Signaling Domains | Lecture |
| 12:30 – 13:30 | Lunch Break | |
| 13:30 – 15:00 | Target Antigen Selection & CAR Design Strategies | Lecture + Discussion |
| 15:00 – 15:15 | Coffee Break | |
| 15:15 – 16:30 | Introduction to Vector Systems & Gene Delivery Methods | Lecture |
| 16:30 – 17:00 | Q&A & Wrap-up | Discussion & Q&A |
Day 2: T Cell Isolation, Activation & Gene Delivery
Focus: CAR introduction into T cells
| Time | Activity | Format |
|---|---|---|
| 09:00 – 09:30 | Overview Day 2 & Experimental Planning | Q&A |
| 09:30 – 10:30 | T Cell Biology & Activation Principles | Lecture |
| 10:30 – 10:45 | Coffee Break | |
| 10:45 – 12:30 | Hands-on: T Cell Isolation & Activation Workflow | Lab |
| 12:30 – 13:30 | Lunch Break | |
| 13:30 – 15:00 | Viral & Non-viral Gene Delivery Approaches | Lecture + Demo |
| 15:00 – 15:15 | Coffee Break | |
| 15:15 – 16:30 | Hands-on: Transduction / Transfection Setup | Lab |
| 16:30 – 17:00 | Wrap-up & Discussion | Discussion |
Day 3: CAR-T Cell Expansion & Functional Characterization
Focus: Evaluating engineered CAR-T cells
| Time | Activity | Format |
|---|---|---|
| 09:00 – 09:30 | Overview Day 3 | Lecture |
| 09:30 – 10:30 | Expansion & Maintenance of CAR-T Cells | Lecture |
| 10:30 – 10:45 | Coffee Break | |
| 10:45 – 12:30 | Hands-on: Cell Expansion & Viability Assessment | Lab |
| 12:30 – 13:30 | Lunch Break | |
| 13:30 – 14:30 | Flow Cytometry Principles for CAR-T Analysis | Lecture |
| 14:30 – 15:30 | Hands-on: Surface Marker & CAR Expression Analysis | Lab |
| 15:30 – 15:45 | Coffee Break | |
| 15:45 – 16:30 | Cytotoxicity Assays & Functional Readouts | Lecture + Demo |
| 16:30 – 17:00 | Wrap-up | Discussion |
Day 4: Advanced CAR-T Applications & Translational Perspectives
Focus: Clinical translation and next-generation CAR-T
| Time | Activity | Format |
|---|---|---|
| 09:00 – 10:00 | Challenges in CAR-T Therapy: Toxicity, Resistance & Tumor Escape | Lecture |
| 10:00 – 10:15 | Coffee Break | |
| 10:15 – 11:30 | Next-Generation CAR-T Technologies & Solid Tumor Applications | Lecture |
| 11:30 – 12:30 | Combination Therapies & Genome Editing in CAR-T Engineering | Lecture |
| 12:30 – 13:30 | Lunch Break | |
| 13:30 – 15:00 | Mini Project: Design a CAR-T Strategy for a Selected Cancer Target | Group Work |
| 15:00 – 15:15 | Coffee Break | |
| 15:15 – 16:00 | Group Presentations & Scientific Discussion | Presentation & Discussion |
| 16:00 – 16:30 | Final Wrap-up, Feedback & Certificates | Q&A |
What Participants Will Gain
Participants will gain:
- Understanding of CAR-T cell therapy principles
- Practical insight into CAR design and antigen selection
- Knowledge of vector systems and gene delivery strategies
- Experience with T cell isolation and activation workflows
- Understanding of CAR-T expansion and viability assessment
- Insight into flow cytometry-based CAR-T characterization
- Knowledge of cytotoxicity assays and functional readouts
- Understanding of next-generation CAR-T technologies
- Experience designing a CAR-T strategy in a mini project
- Preparation for future work in immunotherapy and cell therapy research
