Topics for Molecular Principles of Biotechnology II

Graduate

This course covers principles of protein engineering and DNA/bioproduction technologies for biotherapeutics, structure-based biologics design, and analytical methodologies for characterizing and formulating protein-based drugs. a) Protein engineering: Concepts, strategies and latest tools of protein engineering applied to biotherapeutic research and development, particularly antibody-related products. 1) DNA technologies (phage display, expression vectors, subcloning, phages) 2) bioproduction (bacteria, yeast, mammalian cells, insect cells, hybridomas). b) Structural dynamics and structure-based drug design: Concepts, strategies, and tools of structure-based biologics design. 1) X-Ray/EM for epitope mapping, characterization of antibody-drug conjugates, bispecific or other hybrid molecules, glycan characterization. 2) techniques to triage sequences, modulate affinity, construct design with increasing manufacturability. 3) NMR and flexible proteins, protein conjugates and complexes c) Analytical methodologies for the characterization and formulation of biotherapeutics: QA/QC techniques for different types of biotherapeutics: 1) Mass spectrometry (Intact Mass, separation methods and peptide mass fingerprinting, Bottom-UP proteomics and Top-Down MS), 2) Activity and conformation of recombinant proteins (CD, TSA, PEGylation, PTMs). Offered Winter Term