Aydan Szeto 司徒仲豪

  • Croucher Cambridge International Scholarship in 2016 at University of Cambridge

Aydan obtained his BA in Natural Sciences (Biological) from the University of Cambridge. His final year thesis involved working under the supervision of Dr. Darerca Owen to study the thermodynamics of the Cdc42-WASP interacting interface. After pursuing biochemical knowledge at the undergraduate level, Aydan decided to extend his interests in biochemistry and apply his skills and knowledge in the field of immunology.

2016 - 2020 (PhD)

Misdirected immune responses underlie multiple diseases such as autoimmunity, allergy and asthma. A molecular understanding of the pathways involved in the generation of disease-causing immune cells provide novel therapeutic targets in the treatment of immune disorders.

Recent developments in genome sequencing and gene editing technology have allowed the application of large scale genetic screens. Out of the currently available gene editing technologies, CRISPR stands out by offering particularly reliable and efficient gene edition. CRISPR screens are now routinely performed to study biological processes.

In his PhD, Aydan performed CRISPR screens to identify novel regulators of immune responses under the supervision of Dr. Andrew McKenzie. By performing genome-wide CRISPR screens, he identified and validated multiple targets required for the differentiation and development of CD4+ Th2 cells and type-2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s).

2020 - Current

Having identified multiple novel regulators of immune responses, Aydan will continue as a postdoctoral researcher in the laboratory of Andrew McKenzie to further characterise the role and therapeutic potential of newly identified targets, including a novel role for integrin signalling in Th2 cell differentiation and key transcription factors in ILC2 development. 


Publications

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41590-022-01378-w

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41590-020-00833-w

https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.20190689

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.immuni.2019.05.002