Protein Engineering & Expression of Recombinant Immunotherapeutics

Micro-/Nanofabrication of Integrated Sensor Devices

Synthesis of Biologically Inspired Nanostructures for Advanced Materials Processing

Protein Engineering & Expression of Recombinant Immunotherapeutics

 

Our research efforts in this area are conducted under the Cornell University/ Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research (LICR) Partnership. Currently, we are exploring a number of parallel routes for the expression of therapeutic agents that have promise in the clinic. We are evaluating existing approaches, working to develop novel and improved techniques for protein expression, and constructing rational approaches to scale-up these systems.

In our laboratory, a major focus is on the development and optimization of microbial-based expression systems for tumor antigens and tumor-antigen-specific antibody fragments and their subsequent downstream purification. Through the use of our new cGMP-certified Biologics Production Facility, we will carry out the large-scale production of highly purified cancer immunotherapeutics suitable for testing in early-phase human clinical trials.

For a live view of our bench-scale BioFlo Fermentors in action, click here.

Specific Projects and Relevant Lab Personnel

Cloning of human tumor antigen and antibody genes into E. coli and Pichia pastoris expression systems; downstream purification [Todd M. Vannelli]

Bench-scale expression/purification of humanized Fab molecules using E. coli and Pichia pastoris host systems; expression/purification of scFv (single-chain antibody) molecules from E. coli [Frank K.N. Lee]

Large-scale production and purification of a scFV and tumor antigen molecules using Pichia pastoris expression host [Leonardo M. Damasceno]

Design and engineering of feedback control systems for fermentation bioreactors; mathematical modeling of metabolic pathways in microorganisms [Itzcoatl A. Pla]