Immune Monitoring and Genomics

Interactions between the immune system and cancer have a critical influence on the suppression or progression of disease.

The Immune Monitoring and Genomics Facility (IMGF) provides investigators with cellular immunology, molecular immunology, and immunogenomics services that can delineate interactions between the immune system and tumor tissues.

The IMGF focuses on clinical trial correlative research studies but supports basic research studies as well. These studies include both FDA-approved government and industry-sponsored research.

IMGF evaluates anti-tumor immune responses in the context of immunotherapy by using multiplex soluble mediator assays and genomics to characterize the tumor immune microenvironment and genetic analyses of T and B cell receptor repertoires. A major objective is the correlation of immune and tumor cell molecular, genetic and functional characteristics with clinical trial outcomes.

Current studies of this type involve flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, ex vivo cellular functional studies, and gene expression profiling. For this work, the IMGF uses novel and classical molecular biology techniques in combination with cellular immunology and next-generation sequencing.

About UNC Lineberger

The IMGF is a shared resource of the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. UNC Lineberger is a cancer research and treatment center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. UNC Lineberger is one of only 51 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the country. The center brings together some of the most exceptional physicians and scientists in the country to investigate and improve the prevention, early detection and treatment of cancer.