Meet Our Presenters
The revolution and evolution of activity-based protein profiling
A chemistry-first approach to drug target and lead discovery
A chemistry-first approach to drug target and lead discovery
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Despite major advances in human genetics, finding new targets and effective ways to drug them remains a technical challenge in drug development. Activity-based protein profiling (ABPP) has emerged as a robust method for both discovering new targets and connecting them with lead compounds for drug design.
ABPP relies on chemical probes with modest or no target specificity that tag a set of proteins with complementary reactivity related to their function or dysfunction. Incorporating enrichment handles into the chemical probes, combined with quantitative mass spectrometry analysis, enables discovery of new targets and mechanisms, while competition experiments can reveal specific small molecule binders that block covalent tagging by the promiscuous probes.
This webcast will introduce these fundamental concepts, explain why they are transformative, and explore their utility where innovation in drug discovery is perhaps needed most: treating brain and central nervous system diseases. The speakers will also share three vignettes illustrating the evolution of ABPP, and forecast the next great revolution in the approach.
You will learn:
• Fundamental terms and concepts of ABPP
• Key applications of ABPP and how they can be used to develop clinical candidates
• Promising new ABPP developments for early-stage drug and drug target discovery
Meet Our Presenters
Megan received her Ph.D. from Penn State University under the mentorship of Marty Bollinger and Carsten Krebs, and performed postdoctoral studies at Scripps Research with Ben Cravatt. Matthews investigated the prevalence of undiscovered protein-bound electrophiles and the (dys)functions they impart. Her program is tracking down these and other leads to novel disease biology and therapeutics.
Matt received his Ph.D. from the University of California San Diego under the mentorship of Edward Dennis, and performed postdoctoral studies at Scripps Research with Loren Parsons. His research program uncovers new insights into the mechanisms in the brain underlying chronic pain and addiction using mass spectrometry techniques, in vivo microdialysis, cell-based assays, and behavioral pharmacology to support early-stage drug discovery efforts.
Joe Lackey holds a Ph.D. in molecular physiology from the University of Dundee, during which he worked in early drug discovery, investigating the role of the PI-3 kinase signalling pathway in growth promotion of tumours which have lost the important tumour suppressor PTEN. Joe has worked as an LGC Technical Specialist for 6 years, during which time he has explored his significant interests in personalized medicine, cancer biology and the journey to the clinic.
Nikki Forrester is a science journalist who covers biology, natural history, climate, and the culture of academic research. She earned a Ph.D. in ecology and evolutionary biology in 2019.
