Course Details

Overview

This intensive 4-day hands-on training program introduces participants to the principles and experimental workflow of CAR-T cell design and engineering.

The course covers key concepts in immunotherapy, CAR structure, antigen recognition, signaling domains, target antigen selection, vector systems, gene delivery, T cell isolation, T cell activation, transduction/transfection setup, CAR-T cell expansion, viability assessment, flow cytometry-based CAR-T analysis, cytotoxicity assays, and translational applications.

Participants will gain practical insight into how CAR-T cell strategies are designed, generated, characterized, and evaluated in research and translational settings.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

Understand the principles of immunotherapy and CAR-T cell engineering
Apply BSL-2 laboratory safety guidelines
Explain CAR structure, antigen recognition, and signaling domains
Understand target antigen selection and CAR design strategies
Compare viral and non-viral gene delivery approaches
Understand T cell biology, activation, and expansion
Perform or observe T cell isolation and activation workflows
Understand transduction/transfection setup for CAR introduction
Assess CAR-T cell viability and expansion
Understand flow cytometry principles for CAR-T characterization
Analyze surface markers and CAR expression
Understand cytotoxicity assays and functional readouts
Discuss challenges such as toxicity, resistance, and tumor escape
Design a basic CAR-T strategy for a selected cancer target

Target Audience

This course is ideal for:

Master’s and PhD students
Research assistants and laboratory technicians
Immunology, oncology, cell therapy, and biotechnology researchers
Scientists interested in CAR-T and immune cell engineering
Professionals working in translational research, biotech, or pharmaceutical development
Participants interested in cancer immunotherapy and next-generation cell therapies

Course Program

Day 1: Introduction to CAR-T Cell Therapy & Experimental Design

Focus: Fundamentals of CAR-T technology

Time	Activity	Format
09:00 – 09:30	Welcome & Course Overview	Lecture
09:30 – 10:30	Introduction to BSL-2 Guidelines & Laboratory Safety	Lecture
10:30 – 11:15	Principles of Immunotherapy & CAR-T Cell Engineering	Lecture
11:15 – 11:30	Coffee Break
11:30 – 12:30	CAR Structure, Antigen Recognition & Signaling Domains	Lecture
12:30 – 13:30	Lunch Break
13:30 – 15:00	Target Antigen Selection & CAR Design Strategies	Lecture + Discussion
15:00 – 15:15	Coffee Break
15:15 – 16:30	Introduction to Vector Systems & Gene Delivery Methods	Lecture
16:30 – 17:00	Q&A & Wrap-up	Discussion & Q&A

Day 2: T Cell Isolation, Activation & Gene Delivery

Focus: CAR introduction into T cells

Time	Activity	Format
09:00 – 09:30	Overview Day 2 & Experimental Planning	Q&A
09:30 – 10:30	T Cell Biology & Activation Principles	Lecture
10:30 – 10:45	Coffee Break
10:45 – 12:30	Hands-on: T Cell Isolation & Activation Workflow	Lab
12:30 – 13:30	Lunch Break
13:30 – 15:00	Viral & Non-viral Gene Delivery Approaches	Lecture + Demo
15:00 – 15:15	Coffee Break
15:15 – 16:30	Hands-on: Transduction / Transfection Setup	Lab
16:30 – 17:00	Wrap-up & Discussion	Discussion

Day 3: CAR-T Cell Expansion & Functional Characterization

Focus: Evaluating engineered CAR-T cells

Time	Activity	Format
09:00 – 09:30	Overview Day 3	Lecture
09:30 – 10:30	Expansion & Maintenance of CAR-T Cells	Lecture
10:30 – 10:45	Coffee Break
10:45 – 12:30	Hands-on: Cell Expansion & Viability Assessment	Lab
12:30 – 13:30	Lunch Break
13:30 – 14:30	Flow Cytometry Principles for CAR-T Analysis	Lecture
14:30 – 15:30	Hands-on: Surface Marker & CAR Expression Analysis	Lab
15:30 – 15:45	Coffee Break
15:45 – 16:30	Cytotoxicity Assays & Functional Readouts	Lecture + Demo
16:30 – 17:00	Wrap-up	Discussion

Day 4: Advanced CAR-T Applications & Translational Perspectives

Focus: Clinical translation and next-generation CAR-T

Time	Activity	Format
09:00 – 10:00	Challenges in CAR-T Therapy: Toxicity, Resistance & Tumor Escape	Lecture
10:00 – 10:15	Coffee Break
10:15 – 11:30	Next-Generation CAR-T Technologies & Solid Tumor Applications	Lecture
11:30 – 12:30	Combination Therapies & Genome Editing in CAR-T Engineering	Lecture
12:30 – 13:30	Lunch Break
13:30 – 15:00	Mini Project: Design a CAR-T Strategy for a Selected Cancer Target	Group Work
15:00 – 15:15	Coffee Break
15:15 – 16:00	Group Presentations & Scientific Discussion	Presentation & Discussion
16:00 – 16:30	Final Wrap-up, Feedback & Certificates	Q&A

What Participants Will Gain

Participants will gain:

Understanding of CAR-T cell therapy principles
Practical insight into CAR design and antigen selection
Knowledge of vector systems and gene delivery strategies
Experience with T cell isolation and activation workflows
Understanding of CAR-T expansion and viability assessment
Insight into flow cytometry-based CAR-T characterization
Knowledge of cytotoxicity assays and functional readouts
Understanding of next-generation CAR-T technologies
Experience designing a CAR-T strategy in a mini project
Preparation for future work in immunotherapy and cell therapy research