Lab Members

My name is Georgy Komissarov and I am employed as a Technician B in Dr. Tsang’s lab since August of 2024. I have graduated from CWRU in May 2023. I enjoy cooking and baking and sharing the results with the lab!

I focus on the inflammatory mechanisms underlying chronic diseases, using genetic techniques to develop and treat both small and large animal models. During my PhD at the Technical University of Munich, I generated the first pig model of inflammatory bowel disease by genetically modifying in vitro-derived embryos. I analyzed disease-associated microbe-host-interactions in this and other disease models using microbiomics and intestinal organoids. In the Tsang Lab, I am investigating the potential of metabolically reprogramming retinal immune cells via immunoengineering to mitigate inherited retinal degenerations.

Outside the lab, I enjoy climbing, beatboxing, and exploring New York neighborhoods.

My research interesting is utilizing patient-derived iPSC-RPE cells (iRPE) to establish in vitro disease modeling, underpinning the potential of customized cell and gene therapy to optimize treatment modalities for individual patients. These advances promise to enhance clinical outcomes and elevate the quality of life for individuals confronting retinal disorders. Secondly, decode the molecular intricacies of retinal diseases. With my subsequent induction into the Precision Medicine Fellowship at the Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research at Columbia, I have continued to infuse my acumen into precision medicine, focusing on elucidating the intricate relationships between genetic blueprints and their phenotypic manifestations. Currently, I am weaving gene-editing technology into the fabric of my research. The refinement of genome-repaired iRPE cells heralds a new chapter in the evolution of cell replacement therapies, while the advancements in both in vitro and ex vivo genome editing are poised to redefine the boundaries of gene therapy and holds the chance to significantly improve patient care.

I am highly motivated in translational research that will bring engineering designs to gene and protein delivery for the treatment of inherited retinal diseases. In 2018, I completed my Master’s degree in pharmaceutical sciences and during this training period I worked in several projects developing drug delivery systems for eye diseases. In September 2019, I started my PhD in the Biomedical Engineering Program at Columbia University. Since then, I have initiated projects on retinal disease modeling using iPSC derived retinal organoids, and am developing potential therapies for inherited retinal diseases, including gene-dependent and gene-independent therapeutic approaches. My long-term research aspirations are to apply genome engineering technology to treat patients suffering from genetic disorders leading to blindness.

I received my Bachelor's degree at Cornell University in Biological Engineering, where I initially explored the fluid dynamics of dragonfly larvae in the Roh Lab. What turned me towards genome engineering was when I participated in research at WashU in the Souroullas lab. We explored possible genetic precursors to melanoma development and this deepened my interests in genetics research. After matriculating into Columbia University, my interest led me to the Tsang Lab where I am developing CRISPR-based tools to be used in treating inherited retinal disorders. Outside the lab, I'll be in the gym, running, swimming, cooking, or eating.

As a student studying biomedical engineering, my interests lie in genome engineering and utilizing the tools in this field for therapeutic purposes. This interest drew me to the Tsang lab, where I now am a doctoral candidate focusing on developing treatments for inherited retinal diseases. Outside of the lab, I enjoy playing tennis, reading, and watching anime. 

I have enjoyed spending my undergraduate years assisting Dr. Tsang in his clinical practice as an electroretinogram technician and contributing to research that focuses on the development of CRISPR therapeutics for rhodopsin retinopathies. Upon graduation from Columbia College, I hope to continue contributing to research that will help people with hereditary neurodegenerative diseases—especially those who suffer from Retinitis Pigmentosa—all over the world. A special thanks to Dr. Tsang and Salvatore M. Caruso for mentoring me in the lab and allowing me to gain hands-on laboratory experience as an undergraduate. 

After working at a cell and gene therapy start-up focused on developing adeno-associated viral therapeutics for rare diseases, I became interested in exploring translational research and returned to Columbia University to pursue a doctorate in biomedical engineering. In Dr.Stephen Tsang’s lab I focus on leveraging gene editing tools such as CRISPR to uncover pathogenic mechanisms for retinal diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and developing potential cell therapies for retinal diseases.

Outside of lab I enjoy going to Pilates, cooking, trying new coffee shops, and snowboarding when it’s cold out.