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Euroscicon, The Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst, Gunnels Wood Road, Hertfordshire, UK
Wednesday, 15 May 2013
Production of therapeutic proteins from bacterial systems
Dr Tim Overton, University of Birmingham, UK
To be confirmed
Mr Andrew Clutterbuck, Merck Millipore
Downstream Processing of Monoclonal Antibodies
Dr Graziella El Khoury, University of Cambridge, UK
Therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) now constitute one of the most important and rapidly growing segments of the biopharmaceutical industry with 24 products approved by the FDA and 240 currently in clinical trials. This interest in monoclonal antibodies requires improved downstream bioprocessing protocols which are cost effective and allow the resolution of complex protein mixtures and the isolation of individual target proteins in high yield, in a relatively short period of time. This talk will focus on the advances in the affinity purification strategies for the purification of antibodies and their fragments.
Developing long-acting growth hormone agonists and antagonists
Professor Richard J Ross, University of Sheffield
Growth hormone (GH) is a potent anabolic hormone; deficiency results in extreme short stature and excess in gigantism and acromegaly. It is just over 50 years since Raben first demonstrated the dramatic impact of GH replacement on linear growth in a young boy with pituitary infantilism. Since then milestones in GH research have included identification of the GH binding protein (1986), the crystal structure of GH (1987), cloning of the GH receptor (1987) and the discovery of a GH antagonist (1990). Studies in patients with GH insensitivity, secondary to mutations in the GH receptor, have allowed the elucidation of the molecular interaction of GH with its receptor and the mechanism underlying activation of GH receptor signalling. Based on this understanding of the structure and physiology of GH we have been investigating the rational design of novel GH agonists and antagonists. We have examined tandem fusions of GH with flexible, rigid, and glycosylated linkers, addition of lipid anchors to both GH and its binding protein and the generation of ligand-receptor fusions through flexible peptide linkers. Despite apparent rational design, tests of bioactivity often produce surprising and unexpected results with the addition of a lipid anchor to GH creating an antagonist and a GH ligand-receptor fusion a potent agonist. Ligand-receptor fusions have unique properties forming a partially inactive complex in solution, with delayed clearance, whilst providing a constant supply of active GH that promotes growth. These novel GH constructs generate long-acting GH therapies with the potential for monthly dosing which would be a major advance over current daily treatment regimens.
New stapling technology for production of therapeutic proteins
Professor Bazbek Davletov, Chair of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sheffield, UK
Combining proteins or their defined domains could bring new enhanced functions. Conventionally, two proteins are either fused into a single polypeptide by recombinant means or chemically cross-linked. However, these strategies have drawbacks such as poor expression (recombinant fusions) or aggregation and inactivation (chemical cross-linking). We developed a new protein linking method which allows site-oriented, non-covalent, yet irreversible stapling of modified proteins at neutral pH and ambient temperature. This method is based on two distinct polypeptide linkers which self-assemble within minutes, in the presence of a short peptide staple. On-demand and irreversible combination of botulinum domains allowed us to design new neuronal blocking agents with enhanced medicinal features. Furthermore, we demonstrate the general versatility of this modular approach by stapling a variety of proteins to required surfaces.
Talk to be confirmed
Mr Craig Malcolm, Promega UK, UK
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Organized by:
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Euroscicon |
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Invited Speakers:
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Laura Bailey, Eden Biodesign Dr Tim Overton, University of Birmingham, UK Mr Andrew Clutterbuck, Merck Millipore Dr Graziella El Khoury, University of Cambridge, UK Professor Richard J Ross, University of Sheffield Professor Bazbek Davletov, Chair of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sheffield, UK Mr Craig Malcolm, Promega UK, UK
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Deadline for Abstracts:
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The Deadline for abstract submissions for oral presentation is Feb 10th 2013
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Registration:
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http://www.regonline.co.uk/protein2013
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E-mail:
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astrid.englezou@euroscicon.com
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