About Us
From left to right: Michel Sadelain, Maksim Mamonkin, Sascha Haubner
Led by Michel Sadelain, MD, PhD, an internationally recognized pioneer in CAR T-cell therapy, the Columbia Initiative in Cell Engineering and Therapy (CICET) is establishing the infrastructure needed to drive innovation in cell engineering and translational science. The initiative includes recruiting leading investigators and fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration in genome engineering, cell engineering, stem cell biology, regenerative medicine, and advanced biomanufacturing. CICET's efforts are driven by faculty and students in the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, and in partnership with NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.
Cell-based therapies have made tremendous strides in recent years and hold great promise for the future of medicine. From cancer and inherited disorders to autoimmune and degenerative diseases, engineered cells utilized as living drugs offer unprecedented therapeutic potential to alleviate or cure conditions once considered untreatable.
AI Generated Image: T Cell Engineering, Rivière and Sadelain, October 2024
CICET’s mission is grounded in three foundational pillars:
- Promote and strengthen the research continuum between the biological, translational, manufacturing, and clinical dimensions of cell engineering and therapy.
- Establish comprehensive academic programs to train the next generation of leaders in cell engineering and advanced cell therapy manufacturing.
- Advocate for equitable and inclusive access to cell and gene therapies, ensuring broad societal benefit.
By integrating scientific and clinical innovation, academic training, and a commitment to access, CICET seeks to position Columbia at the forefront of this rapidly evolving field and to help define the future of cell-based medicine.