Miller Lab Mission Statement
The scientific mission of the Ty Miller Lab is to revolutionize the treatment for brain tumor patients through the development of innovative immunotherapies.
About Ty
Dr. Tyler Miller, a native of Ottoville, OH, embarked on his scientific journey in cancer research as an undergraduate at The Ohio State University, where he made early contributions to the field by identifying some of the first microRNAs linked to cancer treatment resistance. His academic path led him to Case Western Reserve University and the Cleveland Clinic, where he continued make scientific advances during his medical and graduate studies, developing innovative in vivo assays for glioblastoma and uncovering potential therapeutic targets for these brain tumors.
After completing his Clinical Pathology residency at Massachusetts General Hospital, Dr. Miller's focus shifted towards immunotherapy, driven by the challenges posed by tumor heterogeneity in clinical settings. His postdoctoral work at MGH and Dana Farber Cancer Institute advanced the application of single-cell RNA sequencing technologies and significantly enhanced our understanding of immunosuppressive myeloid cells in brain tumors. His efforts have been recognized with numerous awards, including a National Cancer Institute’s K08 Physician-Scientist Career Development Award, the Brain Tumour Charity’s Future Leaders Fellowship, the American Brain Tumor Association’s Basic Research Fellowship, and the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer-Bristol Myers Squibb Cancer Immunotherapy Translational Fellowship Award.
Dr. Miller is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of scientists and clinicians, nurturing an environment that champions innovation and inclusivity. His ongoing research and clinical work aim to transform scientific discoveries into effective treatments, offering new hope to patients with brain tumors.
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Research Interests
Our research is driven by the conviction that immunotherapy offers the most promising path to curing brain tumors. One of the biggest barriers to effective immunotherapies for brain tumor patients is the abundant myeloid cells that suppress the immune system. We utilize advanced single-cell genomics, spatial transcriptomics, and human organoid models to dissect the complex role of these immunosuppressive myeloid cells within the tumor microenvironment. Our primary focus is on understanding and transforming these myeloid cells to improve the efficacy of CAR-T therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors.
We delve into the mechanisms through which myeloid cells impede immunotherapeutic success, aiming to reprogram these cells from being tumor-supportive to becoming potent anti-cancer agents. In addition to trying to find ways to enhance current treatments, we also strive to pioneer new therapeutic strategies that can improve outcomes for brain tumor patients. By collaborating with clinicians and researchers across disciplines, we are working to translate our findings into clinically viable solutions that offer new hope to patients battling this devastating disease.