What if immune cells could think before they attack? That’s the revolutionary idea behind Senti Bio, a biotech startup co-founded by MIT researchers Tim Lu and James Collins. Using synthetic biology, Senti is programming immune cells with gene circuits—essentially embedding logic gates inside living cells. These circuits allow immune cells to detect and respond to specific cues in their environment, making decisions with “if/then” logic, much like computers.
The challenge with most cell therapies is specificity. Many cancer markers also appear on healthy cells, making it difficult to target tumors without damaging normal tissue. Senti’s technology changes that. Their therapies are designed to kill cells that express cancer-specific markers while sparing those that also show healthy signals. This innovation significantly widens the scope of cancers that can be treated with cell therapy.
Their lead candidate targets acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and early trials have already shown complete remission in some patients. While clinical validation is ongoing, Senti’s platform could unlock new possibilities in treating not just blood cancers but also solid tumors, liver cancer, and even applications in regenerative medicine.
By combining biology with computing logic, Senti is opening the door to a smarter, safer class of medicine.