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Darpins

19th January 2017.
Fabio Andres, University of Zurich.

Abstract

Designed Ankyrin Repeat Proteins (DARPins) represent a promising alternative to other protein scaffolds such as antibodies in order to generate highly specific binders to any desired molecule. The modular structure and the very high stability of these proteins enable them to be applied to powerful selection technologies based on directed evolution and offer vast possibilities for protein engineering. Here, we used in-vitro directed evolution (Ribosome Display) of DARPins and a comprehensive epitope screening approach to develop bi-specific molecules binding to the Hepatocyte Growth Factor Receptor (c-MET) on cancer cells which show considerable inhibition of tumor cell growth.

 All College students are invited to attend. The poster of the seminar can be downloaded here.

 

Biographical sketch

F Andres studied Biology and Biochemistry at the Department of Biochemistry in Zurich. After the Masters degree, he worked for the Roche Diagnostics company in Rotkreuz (central Switzerland).  In 2011 he moved to the University of Zurich for a PhD, working on the development of novel protein-based therapeutic molecules for cancer therapy in Andreas Puckthun's laboratory.