MBS/Pharmacy Joint Seminar - "AI-generated de novo design of biosensors to understand and manipulate cancer signaling"
Feb
7
2025
Feb
7
2025
Description
The Molecular Biosciences Department and the College of Pharmacy welcome Dr. Jason Zhang for a joint seminar.
Dr. Zhang completed his Ph.D. in the Department of Pharmacology and Bioengineering at UC San Diego, and he is currently a post-doctoral fellow in the laboratory of David Baker at University of Washington.
Dr. Zhang's seminar, “AI-generated de novo design of biosensors to understand and manipulate cancer signaling” will be held on Friday, February 7 at 10:30 AM in BME 3.204 and via zoom.
Click here to learn more about Dr. Zhang's seminar.
Abstract
In this work, I present advances in developing and using AI-driven de novo protein design to generate tools for probing and manipulating cellular signaling, focusing on Ras proteins. I describe the use of computational protein design to create genetically encodable biosensors, such as those that are capable of measuring endogenous Ras activity and profiling its signaling environment with high spatiotemporal resolution. Additionally, I present new methodologies to overcome the challenges of targeting unstructured, highly charged protein regions such as the C-terminus of Ras to create highly specific binders for Ras isoforms and peptide-MHC cancer neo-epitopes. These tools reveal new insights into the compartmentalized Ras signaling, mechanisms driving drug resistance, and development of new cancer immunotherapies. By integrating deep learning and protein design, this approach offers a framework for studying complex biochemical networks and developing novel strategies for cancer biology, diagnostics, and therapeutics.
Location
This virtual event requires software to participate. Get help with Zoom or Microsoft Teams.
BME 3.204
Share
Other Events in This Series
Apr
25
2024
ILS Seminar - Woolley, Rahman
ILS Spring 2024 Seminar Series
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm • In Person
Speaker(s): Phillip Woolley and Ayesha Rahman
May
1
2024
MBS Seminar - "Understanding Biological Thermo-Sensors"
MBS Spring 2024 Seminar Series
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm • In Person
Speaker(s): Dr. Andres Jara-Oseguera
May
2
2024
ILS Seminar -
ILS Spring 2024 Seminar Series
4:00 pm – 5:30 pm • In Person
Speaker(s): Dr. Jennifer Heemstra
May
15
2024
GSC Seminar - "Unlock the Adaptive Immune Repertoire by Controlling Innate Immunity with Biomaterials"
GSC Spring Seminar
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm • In Person
Speaker(s): Dr. Qian Yin
May
22
2024
GSC Seminar - "Editing Our Intracellular Microbiome: From Disease Models & Towards Therapies"
GSC Spring Seminar
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm • In Person
Speaker(s): Dr. Stephen Ekker
Jun
26
2024
GSC Seminar - "Stronger Together: Condensates Promote Cancer Signaling"
GSC Summer Seminar
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm • In Person
Speaker(s): Dr. Juan Guan
Aug
14
2024
Promotion and Tenure Seminar - "Localized Sensors for Metabolic Signaling"
MBS Promotion and Tenure Seminar 2024-2025
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm • Hybrid
Speaker(s): Dr. Xiaolu Lulu Cambronne
Aug
15
2024
Promotion Seminar - "Engineering Polyketide Synthases Using the Correct Module Boundary"
MBS Promotion Seminar 2024-2025
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm • Hybrid
Speaker(s): Dr. Adrian Keatinge-Clay
Aug
22
2024
Promotion Seminar - "Profiling and Developing Next-Generation Gene Editors"
MBS Promotion Seminar 2024-2025
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm • Hybrid
Speaker(s): Dr. Ilya Finkelstein
Sep
4
2024
MBS Seminar - "Integrating Signaling with Gene Control: Discovering New Writers of the CTD Code"
MBS Fall 2024 Seminar Series
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm • In Person
Speaker(s): Dr. Aseem Ansari
