Elvira D’Ippolito, PhD, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany, provides an overview of research into the development of functional screening methods based on T cell receptor (TCR) avidity, as well as approaches to enhance TCR screening methods to accelerate the identification of candidates with clinical potential. In addition, Dr D’Ippolito describes research utilizing CRISPR-cas9 gene editing technology to help optimize T cell engineering protocols, such as for the replacement of the endogenous TCR with a transgenic TCR, demonstrating the ability to obtain T cell products similar to physiological T cells with an improved safety profile and functional reliability. This interview took place at the International Conference on Lymphocyte Engineering (ICLE) 2022.