Engineering Synthetic D-Proteins as Novel and Transformative Molecular Therapeutics Against Cancer Targets

Proteins can exist in two forms: left-handed (L) or right-handed (D); however, for indeterminate reasons life on this planet only uses the L-form. When studied in more detail, both protein forms possess identical physiochemical and biological properties. Yet, D-proteins show minimal proteolytic degradation and fail to elicit immune responses in animals, due to their unnatural arrangement for recognition in biological systems. Accordingly, the proposed project seeks to develop synthetic D-proteins as biopharmaceutical molecules. We will utilize a method of high-throughput selection, previously established for selection of antibodies, to isolate D-proteins to target cellular receptors involved in cancer. TO BE CONT’D

Faculty Supervisor:

Jason Moffat

Student:

Partner:

Centre for the Commercialization of Antibodies and Biologics;University of Toronto

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Toronto

Program: