Malcolm Brenner, an internationally recognized physician-scientist known for his leadership in cell and gene therapy, has been appointed to lead the newly formed Houston Methodist Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, according to a June 12 announcement.
The center will bring together scientists and clinicians across Houston Methodist's academic research and clinical care settings to discover and advance new therapies for a wide range of diseases. Its collaborative approach aims to unite expertise across disciplines and accelerate the translation of promising pre-clinical discoveries into clinical evaluation. The center will also support the development of both genetic and cellular therapies designed to address congenital and acquired conditions throughout the body.
In addition to Brenner, the center will include a team of translational research scientists, physician-scientists, and support staff. Brenner and his team plan to continue their long-term collaborations at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital.
Brenner is a professor of pediatrics, medicine, molecular and human genetics, as well as translational biology at Baylor College of Medicine. He is known for foundational contributions that have established cell and gene therapy as viable clinical treatments. Trained in immunology and hematology as a physician-scientist, he helped redefine bone marrow transplantation as a form of cell therapy. He was among the first researchers to demonstrate that engineered immune cells could safely treat infection and cancer. His work established the clinical potential of virus-specific T cells and gene-modified hematopoietic stem cells—laying groundwork for therapies that provide durable benefits for patients.
Beyond scientific discovery, Brenner has played an important role in shaping global infrastructure around cell and gene therapy research. As a leader in major scientific societies who helped create early standards for the field, he contributed guidance on how these complex therapies are developed, regulated, and delivered. Elected to both the National Academy of Medicine and National Academy of Inventors, Brenner has received multiple honors recognizing his impact on science as well as mentorship efforts.
