Chen's Laboratory
Chen's Laboratory
At the University of Utah, our laboratory is dedicated to studying and conducting research at the intersection of immunology and the engineering of biological therapeutics including peptides, proteins, and cells. We possess a deep-rooted passion for exploring the mysteries of immunity and investigating various immunological disorders, including autoimmune diseases and cancer, among others. Our ultimate aim is to develop effective treatments and ultimately find cures for individuals affected by these conditions.
In pursuit of this goal, we are constantly engaged in the creation of novel peptides, proteins, engineered cells that hold potential as innovative medicines or as essential components of new formulations and tools for advancing medical treatments. Meanwhile, we are actively involved in the invention and refinement of cutting-edge engineering approaches, such as CRISPR, omics-guided target identification, and artificial intelligence-enhanced protein and antibody designs.
We wholeheartedly welcome collaborations from those who share our passion and interests. If you are equally passionate about these areas of research, we encourage you to reach out and explore opportunities for collaboration. Together, we can make significant strides in advancing our understanding of immunology and developing transformative therapies for those in need.
Our laboratory is hosted in the state-to-art L.S. Skaggs Research Institute and supported by the Department of Molecular Pharmaceutics at the University of Utah as well as extramural fundings.
Open Positions: Our lab is continuously accepting applications for Postdoctoral Associate and PhD student positions.
News
November 2025: A research project led by Dr. Shuyun Dong was published in iScience. The manuscript, titled “3-in-one PD-1 CAR Tregs: A bioengineered cellular therapy for target engagement, activation, and immunosuppression with reparative potential” (DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2025.113677), reports the first chimeric antigen receptor regulatory T cell (CAR Treg) platform designed to directly target antigens on effector T lymphocytes rather than canonical disease-associated tissue antigens. This “3-in-one” design leverages effector T cells for anchoring, activation, and suppression, thereby enhancing the immunosuppressive and reparative potential of Tregs.
October 2025: Dr. Lauren Naatz successfully graduated from the Department of Molecular Pharmaceutics PhD program. During her four-year doctoral training, she spearheaded Chen Lab’s efforts to develop bispecific antibodies as therapeutics for autoimmune diseases. Her work resulted in two first-authored publications and multiple co-authored papers. She was recognized with the University of Utah Graduate Research Fellowship, the NIH Neuroimmunology Training Grant (NITG T32) Fellowship, the AFPE Fellowship, and the Kuramoto Graduate Research Fellowship. Her NIH F31 fellowship application received a 2nd-percentile score prior to her graduation. Lauren’s research formed the foundation for the lab’s recent R21 grant. The lab will miss her dearly—she has been both a terrific colleague and a brilliant scientist. We wish her every success in her future career.
August 2025: the Chen lab was awarded an R21 grant from NIAID. This support will enable the exploration of bi-specific killer cell engagers (BiKEs) to selectively deplete effector T cells and suppress autoimmunity. The project was led by graduate student Lauren Naatz and supported by collaborators Professors Venkata Yellepeddi, Brian Evavold, and Xiangyang Ye at the University of Utah.
July 2025: Dr. Shuyun Dong’s innovative research on chimeric antigen receptor regulatory T cells (CAR Tregs) received support from NIAID through an R21 grant. This funding will enable the lab to engineer effector T lymphocyte–directed CAR Tregs. The resulting design streamlines target engagement, activation, and suppressive function, with the potential to enhance the efficiency and precision of Treg-mediated immunosuppression. The key collaborators for the project include Professors Brian Evavold, Venkata Yellepeddi, and Xiangyang Ye.
June 2025: Dr. Mingnan Chen spoke at the 50th Anniversary Symposium for The Anticonvulsant Drug Development Program at the University of Utah. He presented the lab’s discoveries on the roles of PD-1–positive cells in the inflammatory processes underlying multiple sclerosis and epilepsy.
June-August 2025: the Chen Laboratory hosted five enthusiastic high school students—Paul Claudon (Juan Diego), Amy Hu (Skyline), Sarah Leng (Juan Diego), Neil Raman (West), and Merrilyn Yun (Skyridge)—for a summer research internship. These talented students brought energy, curiosity, and fresh perspectives to the lab.
May 3, 2025: the entire Chen Laboratory joined Lauren’s “Lolo” fundraising team to participate in the MS (Multiple Sclerosis) Walk SLC 2025. The event was held at America First Field in Sandy, Utah. It was a meaningful opportunity to engage with the local community and stand alongside those advocating for MS care and research.