Objective

T-cell immunotherapies are showing considerable promise in treating various challenging diseases such as blood cancers. These therapies utilise the body’s immune system to destroy tumour cells by collecting a patient’s own cells and modifying them to target cancer cells, by transferring DNA into the cells using viral vectors. The vector transfer efficiency and its consistency is critical to the final (cell) product quality and cost. We have engineered new technologies to improve the efficiency of transferring DNA into cells. Two microfluidic-based approaches were tested: viral transduction at the single cell level in pL volumes of fluid, or with small population of cells using larger volumes (up to nL size). Data are presented on each approach obtained with a model cell line and primary T cells. These new technologies will provide users and manufacturers with useful information and precision needed to develop better cell therapy products.