Peptide Aptamers: Precision Tools for Dissecting Signaling Pathways and for Early Development of Novel Therapeutic Compounds

Time: Tuesday, November 25, 2014 - 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Type: Seminar Series
Presenter: Brian B. RUDKIN, PhD CNRS/Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon
Room/Office: Amistad 112
Location:
Amistad Conference Room
10 Amistad St
New Haven, CT
United States

Department of Biomedical Engineering Special Seminar

“Peptide aptamers: precision tools for dissecting signaling pathways and for early development of novel therapeutic compounds”

Brian B. RUDKIN, PhD
CNRS/Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon

Abstract: While systems biology approaches analyzing the genome, proteome, interactome etc. are increasing our understanding of complex regulatory networks, identification of key proteins in signaling pathways that regulate cellular responses remains crucial for furthering our understanding of normal cellular processes and pathological perturbations thereof. Peptide aptamers, conceived to conceptually resemble antibodies, are small combinatorial proteins with a constant scaffold presenting a variable region. Their use for the identification and validation of novel targets and discovery of novel therapeutics in vitro, in cellular models, and in vivo in animal models for human disease, will be discussed.

Bio: Dr. Rudkin is a Research Director at the CNRS, Head of a research group at the Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, one of the top French academic research institutions, Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology since 1990 and Co-Director of the Joint Laboratory on Neuropathogenesis at the ECNU along with Prof. ChongGang YUAN at East China Normal University (ECNU) in Shanghai since 2009. Prior to this, he was Senior Staff fellow at the National Institutes of Health (NICHD) USA, with G. Guroff (Nerve growth factor (NGF) signaling), subsequent to Post-Doctoral experience with G. Thomas (S6 Kinase) then J. Jiricny (G/T Mismatch binding proteins), at the Friedrich Miescher Institut of now NOVARTIS, Basel, Switzerland, after a PhD from the Department of BioChemistry & BioPhysics, University of Pennsylvania.

The group has dissected pathways involved in NGF signaling. Notably, they were first to describe those responsible for cell cycle phase-specific anti-mitogenic and differentiation responses. This led from the regulation of promoter function to trafficking, fate and identification of partners of NGF receptors that impact upon the signaling outcome from lipid rafts. The focus of applied research in the laboratory implements the peptide aptamers to identify novel therapeutic molecules towards existing validated therapeutic targets and to identify and validate novel targets for therapeutic intervention with particular focus on signaling pathway(s) involved in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.

Dr. Rudkin is a member of the Executive committee for the coordination of the "Quality of Life and Aging" Research Cluster of the Rhone-Alps Region that encompasses research laboratories, small innovative companies, large multinationals, university hospitals and patient organizations to better serve the needs of society regarding these concerns. He is also on the investment committee of CREALYS, the regional incubator for accompanying innovative projects from research laboratories since its inception in 1999. Dr. Rudkin has accompanied a number of innovative companies in their creation and development over the years, as external advisor or partner.

Hosted By: Professor Tarek Fahmy
When: Tuesday, November 25th, 2014
Place: Amistad Conference Room 112
Time: 4PM