Status: Filled – Intern: Monica Sai Pasala
Intern: Monica Sai Pasala
Faculty Name: steve-aller-2
UAB Department: Pharmacology & Toxicology
UAB School: Medicine
Campus Address: 1025 18th Street South
Telephone Number: (205) 975-5010
Email: sgaller@uab.edu or Click to Send E-Mail
For how many summers have you served as a preceptor: 0
CCC Research Area: Experimental Therapeutics
Number of hours per week that the preceptor will personally supervise or work with the intern: 10
Other faculty, staff, or graduate students who may help to supervise the intern:
1. Mr. Cole Martin (graduate student)
2. Dr. David Chester
Title of Project: 40SA – Protein-based scaffolds for targeting cancer cell surface epitopes
Project Description:
During our characterization of the structure of a novel bacterial toxin, we have determined that the toxin architecture is comprised of a highly redundant antibody-like (IgG-like) domains for recognizing and binding to cell surface targets. The targeting mechanism of the wildtype toxin is highly specific because it targets insects but is not harmful to mammalian cells. We propose that the endogenous IgG-like domains can be replaced, and other modifications can be made, that will allow us to switch the targeting of the toxin to membrane proteins that are upregulated and/or overexpressed at the surface of human cancer cells. If successful, our engineering of the toxin will allow a novel cell delivery, targeting and killing agent – all in one protein that is inexpensive to produce, and may have advantages over current immunotherapies such as monoclonal antibodies or CAR-T therapies. This project entails structural- and functional exploration of this concept, and includes techniques such as basic biochemistry, cell culture, cell binding assays, standard molecular biology, protein purification and cryo-electron microscopy.
Project Status: Already up and running
Location of Project: Birmingham, AL (UAB)
Proposed Start Date: May 4, 2020
Proposed End Date: July 27, 2020
Expected work schedule for intern: Not very flexible, intern MUST be at work on certain days of the week and at certain times of the day (as may be necessary to interview patients, attend lab meetings, process samples, etc.) and should contribute full-time effort.
Category of Project: Laboratory Research
Cancer topic: Breast, Pancreas, Prostate, Multiple Cancer Sites
Does this project involve human subjects: No
Does this project involve animal subjects: No
Duty:
1.
Basic laboratory research, including basic biochemistry, cell culture, cell binding assays, standard molecular biology, protein purification and cryo-electron microscopy.
2.
The CaRES student will work closely with a graduate student on the project, and the project already has good momentum.
3.
Participate in regular lab meetings, and summarize results
Preceptor will provide intern with access to the following:
Office or desk space, Computer and printer, Laboratory work bench space, Supplies needed to complete project, Equipment needed to complete project
Likelihood that intern will be included as an author on one or more publications
related to this summer research project: Possible
Areas in which the ideal candidates will have experience:
Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Computer Programming, Molecular Biology, protein purification
