Volpatti Lab
Engineering the immune system to treat metabolic diseases
Welcome
The Volpatti Lab opened its doors at Northwestern University in January 2024 and is affiliated with the Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical and Biological Engineering.
The interdisciplinary immunoengineering group recruits from a range of programs – contact Dr. Volpatti at volpatti@northwestern.edu if you are interested in joining.
Our Vision
The overarching goal of the Volpatti Lab is to engineer immunomodulatory drugs such as cytokines to target specific cell or tissue types and reduce the side effects of immunotherapies. We are specifically interested in treating the inflammation that underlies metabolic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, liver disease, and cancer. Ultimately, we aim to prevent complications associated with obesity independent of cholesterol levels or weight loss.
Our Approach
We are an immunoengineering laboratory focusing on two primary approaches.
Protein engineering: we use tools of mammalian protein expression to design new therapeutics that specifically target immune cells.
Biomaterials: we synthesize biomimetic polymers as drug carriers that deliver the therapeutic to a specific cell or tissue.
Our Values
Above all else, we value diversity, equity, and inclusion. We strongly believe that different perspectives are necessary to raise new questions, consider new approaches, and ultimately make scientific advancements. As a result, we prioritize 1) maintaining an inclusive culture through continued learning, 2) participating in outreach events to encourage diversity in STEM, and 3) engaging with the community to combat health equity issues surrounding obesity.
