Sunil Kumar, Ph.D.
Abstract
The aberrant protein-protein interactions (aPPIs) lead to numerous pathological conditions, including infectious diseases, cancer, and amyloid diseases. Therefore, modulation of aPPIs could be considered a viable therapeutic intervention for a wide range of pathologies. Two common strategies to modulate aPPIs are small molecules and peptides/antibodies. Both of these strategies have their shortcomings. The chemical interactions between protein interfaces are discontinuous and are spread over a large surface area, making them very challenging to modulate with small molecules in a specific manner. Peptides and Antibodies are considered suitable ligands due to their large surface area; however, they suffer from several pharmaceutical limitations, primarily because of their large size and limited stability in the cellular milieu.
Our lab has developed a novel platform technology based on artificial protein mimetic ligands that mimic the topography and side-chain residues of proteins, such as those present at the interfaces of aPPIs. Our platform technology provides a large library of chemically diverse artificial protein mimetic ligands. These ligands possess the properties of both small molecules and peptides/antibodies, as they are highly specific, small in size, and exhibit favorable pharmaceutical properties. Artificial protein mimetics have been shown to manipulate various aPPIs that are associated with cancer and neurodegenerative disorders in in vitro and in vivo models.
In the presentation, I will discuss our platform technology, which has the potential to identify potent lead compounds for a wide range of pathological aPPIs and protein-nucleic acid interactions. We envision that our approach will significantly expedite the drug development process for a wide range of diseases.
When: October 3, 2025
Where: North Classroom 1130
Time: 11:00 am - 12:00pm