Agata Antepowicz

My DPhil project focuses on using gene therapy approaches to deliver therapeutic antibody genes as an alternative to passive administration. Monoclonal antibodies have been successfully used to treat a number of various diseases, from cancer through immunological diseases to infections. However, the cost and complexity of production and purification translate to high costs and thus limit the use of monoclonal antibodies in the clinic.

 Gene therapy offers an attractive alternative, as a single dose of a gene transfer agent could, in theory, give patients a lifetime’s supply of the required monoclonal antibody. To evaluate this approach, I am using two model diseases: rheumatoid arthritis and RSV infection.

 Before joining the Gene Medicine group as a doctorate student, I completed a Master’s degree in Human Genetics at University College London.