Branden Moriarity
,
Credentials
PhD

Associate Professor, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
Faculty, Department of Pediatrics
Faculty, Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology (MICaB) Ph.D. Graduate Program
Faculty, PhD Program in Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology and Genetics
Faculty, Cellular and Molecular Biology (CMB) Graduate Program
Faculty, Masters Program in Stem Cell Biology
Co-Director, Center for Genome Engineering
Co-Director, Genome Engineering Shared Resource (GESR)
Member, Center for Genome Engineering
Member, Masonic Cancer Center (MCC)
Member, Stem Cell Institute
Biography

Bio

Dr. Branden Moriarity is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology. He graduated from Saint Olaf College in 2007 with a BA in Biology, Chemistry, and Biomolecular sciences. He received his PhD in Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology & Genetics at the University of Minnesota in 2012. From 2012-2014 he was a post doctoral fellow in David Largaespda's lab, where he worked on identifying the genetics of pediatric sarcomas. He joined the Department of Pediatrics Faculty in 2014.

Dr. Moriarity runs a basic/translational research laboratory working to develop novel cellular therapeutics for gene therapy and cancer immunotherapy with the goal of translating new therapeutics to the clinic. To accomplish these goals, the Moriarity lab uses cutting edge genome engineering technologies, including CRISPR/Cas9, base editor technology, transposons, and rAAV. These tools allow for high frequency gene knockout, gene knock-in, induction of targeted sequence changes, and activation and/or repression of endogenous gene expression. Target cells for engineering include T cells, B cells, NK cells, Monocytes, and hematopoietic stem cells. In addition to developing cellular based therapeutics, the Moriarity lab also performs preclinical drug testing for pediatric cancers, such as osteosarcoma, in order to launch new clinical trials using antibody therapies rather than toxic chemotherapy.

Research Summary

Preclinical Drug Testing, Genome Engineering, Gene Therapy, and Cancer Immunotherapy.
Dr. Moriarity runs a basic/translational research laboratory working to develop novel cellular therapeutics for gene therapy and cancer immunotherapy with the goal of translating new therapeutics to the clinic. To accomplish these goals the Moriarity lab uses cutting edge genome engineering technologies including CRISPR/Cas9, base editor technology, transposons, and rAAV. These tools allow for high frequency gene knockout, gene knock-in, induction of targeted sequence changes, and activiation and/or repression of endogenous gene expression. Target cells for engineering include T cells, B cells, NK cells, Monocytes, and hematopoietic stem cells. In addition to developing cellular based therapeutics, the Moriarity lab also performs preclinical drug testing for pediatric cancers, such as osteosarcoma, in order to launch new clinical trials using antibody therapies rather than toxic chemotherapy. 

Education

PhD in Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology and Genetics, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN

Fellowships, Residencies, and Visiting Engagements

Postdoctoral Fellowship,
University of Minnesota Medical School
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

Honors and Recognition

Associate or Full Professor Basic Science Paper of the Year, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota (2024)
Innovator in Basic Science, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota (2022)
Early Innovator Award, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota
Innovator in Translational Research, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota (2018)
McKnight Land-Grant Professorship, University of Minnesota
Contact

Contact

Address

Pediatric Hematology-Oncology
Mayo Mail Code 484
420 Delaware Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Administrative Contact

Abby Wenninger, MPH
Administrative Associate, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
University of Minnesota Medical School - Twin Cities
Email: wenni021@umn.edu | Office: Mayo A547
Administrative Fax Number: 612-624-3913