Welcome to the Brown Lab

Our Research

The Brown Lab focuses on exploring the nexus of pluripotent stem cell (PSC) biology and immunology. We are currently investigating the mechanisms underpinning the immune response to autologous and allogeneic PSC-derived cell therapies. Using transplantation immunology and genomics-based strategies, in conjunction with humanized mouse models, our goals are to improve traditional organ transplantation outcomes, gain new insights into PSC biology and immunology, and enable curative regenerative medicine therapies.

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Latest Publications

Diminished Immune Cell Adhesion in Hypoimmune ICAM‑1 Knockout Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

In this study, the team identified ICAM‑1, a key adhesion molecule involved in immune cell binding, as a critical target. They used CRISPR/Cas9 to knock out ICAM‑1 from hPSCs and found that this edit dramatically reduces binding of various immune cells, including monocytes, neutrophils, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells, to PSC-derived cardiovascular cells. This led to reduced T cell activation and longer retention of grafts in a humanized mouse model. Importantly, this ICAM‑1 knockout worked both on its own and when combined with existing hypoimmune edits, paving the way for more robust, "universal" cellular therapies.

News & Events

Grad Student Offered GEM Ph.D. Engineering and Science Fellowship

Mireya Pimentel was awarded the GEM Fellowship for Summer 2025. GEM offers MS and Ph.D. level students the ability to explore opportunities in industry and academia through access to dozens of the top Engineering and Science firms and Universities in the nation.

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Brown Lab Awarded Grant to Study Potential New Treatment for Type 1 Diabetes

With a new two-year grant from Breakthrough T1D, the leading global type 1 diabetes research and advocacy organization, Dr. Brown and his team will create and study hypoimmune, insulin-producing, stem cell-derived islet-like clusters as a potential new treatment for type 1 diabetes.

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WARF Features Dr. Matthew E. Brown in Inventor Profiles

The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation highlights Dr. Brown's work and goals for the future.

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Grad Student Takes on 2025 SURF Mentorship Role

Sayandeep Saha mentored undergraduate Christopher DeCorte with a focus on functional characterization of

hypoimmune pluripotent stem cell-derived endothelial cells. The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship supports motivated University of Wisconsin–Madison undergraduate students as they pursue research in stem cell science and regenerative medicine.

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Contact Us

The Brown Lab is recruiting highly motivated postdocs, technicians, and undergraduate students. Dr. Brown is a trainer in the CBMS, MCP, CMP, and CMB graduate programs.

Join Our Team!