Ph.D., Associate Professor, Mount Sinai
Biography
My research has been focused on developing cutting-edge mass spec/proteomics technologies and protein bioengineering. Recently, we developed a robust proteomics pipeline to revolutionize nanobody (Nb)-drug discovery, and identified a large repertoire (> 8,000) of high-affinity, multi-epitope Nbs that target SARS-CoV-2 glycoprotein. Critically, we have demonstrated the outstanding preclinical efficacy of a stable, ultrapotent Nb for novel inhalation therapy of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a sensitive COVID-19 disease model. High-resolution cryoEM determination of Nb-bound structures reveals multiple potent neutralizing epitopes that target cryptic and conserved sites. Comparisons of neutralizing antibodies and Nbs provide insights into how Nbs target the spike to achieve high-affinity and broad activity. Structure-function analysis of Nbs indicates a variety of antiviral mechanisms. Our technologies will find broad utility in other devastating diseases including infectious diseases and cancer.
Talk
Inhalation COVID Therapy by Ultrapotent Nanobodies
Session Abstract – PMWC 2022 Silicon Valley
The COVID-19 pandemic is driving the unprecedented transformation of the global medical research ecosystem through the search for effective new therapeutics that can help ease symptoms and prevent death among COVID-19 patients.
- SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak Surveillance (PANEL)
Session Chair: Charles Chiu, UCSF
- Bronwyn MacInnis, The Broad Institute
- Duncan MacCannell, CDC
- Christopher E. Mason, Weill Cornell Medicine
- Joel Sevinsky, Theiagen - Experiences from the Front Lines of a National Viral Surveillance Organization
Session Chair: Erin Allday, The San Francisco Chronicle
- James Lu, Helix
- Sam Scarpino, Rockefeller Foundation - COVID-19 Testing: Who, When, What? The Challenges of Testing During the Pandemic (PANEL)
Session Chair: Alan Wu, UCSF
- Gary Pestano, Biodesix
- John Barnes, CDC
- Kathleen Jacobson, CA COVID Testing Task Force - Updates in COVID-19 Drug Development
Fireside Chat: Aida Habtezion, Pfizer & Lee Hood, Phenome Health
- Mark Dresser, Gilead Sciences
- John Fahy, UCSF
- Yi Shi, Mount Sinai
- Evolving SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines
- Daniela Weiskopf, La Jolla Institute for Immunology
- Karin Jooss, Gritstone - Accelerating COVID-19 Therapeutic Interventions
- Stacey Adam, FNIH
- Past, Present, and Future: How will We Manage the Next Pandemic? (PANEL)
Session Chair: Julianne McCall, California Initiative to Advance Precision Medicine
- Lawrence Corey, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
- Yvonne A Maldonado, Stanford
- Robert Wachter, UCSF
- Tomás Aragón, CDPH - PMWC Showcase
- Anne Wyllie, Yale
