2019
Rose Fields
Institution: University of Washington
Faculty Mentor: Neil King, Biochemistry
Rose has been working at the IPD for three years now, and is thrilled to have the opportunity to get more deeply involved in her research this summer. Rose is currently using recently described neoantigens, peptides and proteins from cancer cells with mutations that differentiate them from those of healthy cells, to create a therapeutic cancer vaccine. A hyper stable, single subunit, icosahedral protein cage developed by the IPD is the perfect carrier for these neoantigens. Once the peptides are conjugated to the inside of the cage, regardless of their hydrophobicity, they should be effectively solubilized, allowing for intravenous administration without the use of potentially toxic solvents. Furthermore, glycosylation of the exterior of the cage would theoretically target the nanoparticles to the macrophages necessary for activating a potent anti-tumor immune response. Rose believes that the intersection of all of these technologies can create an incredibly effective therapeutic vaccine, and could potentially become an extremely useful treatment for cancer.
Gargi Kher
Institution: University of Washington
Faculty Mentor: Neil King, Biochemistry
Gargi is a rising junior at the University of Washington majoring in Biochemistry and minoring in Applied Math. During the past year, she has worked in the King Lab under the supervision of Dr. Karla-Luise Herpoldt on recovering the solubility of one of the components of the T33_dn2 nanoparticle. This summer, she will continue working on this project. T33_dn2 is a tetrahedral protein cage comprised of two trimeric proteins known as T33_dn2A and T33_dn2B. When expressed individually through E.coli, T33_dn2A is produced in a soluble form while T33_dn2B remains in the insoluble pellet. Successfully increasing the solubility and yield of T33_dn2B without affecting assembly competency would create many possibilities for the T33_dn2 nanoparticle in other projects, such as those intending to use it in vaccine design. During her free time, Gargi likes to read, hike, experiment with new smoothie flavors, and spend time with friends and family. In the future, she plans on going to graduate school where she can further her experience in research.
June Kim
Institution: University of Washington
Faculty Mentor: David Baker, Biochemistry
June is a rising senior at the University of Washington majoring in Bioengineering. In the past two years, June has been working at the Baker Lab & Institute for Protein Design with graduate student Gabriel Butterfield and Issa Yousif on engineering modifications to the self-assembling nucleocapsid that is capable of packaging its own mRNA. This summer, June is working on a project that aims to improve the nucleocapsid’s mRNA packaging ability by utilizing natural proteins that are known take part in viral RNA packaging. Outside of research, June has worked as a peer mentor for the UW STEM Dawgs program as well as an officer for the Korean Student Association (KSA). In his free time, he enjoys listening to music and travelling with his friends and family. June hopes to either attend medical school or pursue a career in industry.
Kurumi Watanabe
Institution: University of Washington
Faculty Mentor: Liangcai Gu, Biochemistry
Kurumi received her bachelor’s degree in biochemistry with a minor in applied mathematics from the University of Washington. Through her college years engaging in undergraduate research in and outside of UW, she became deeply fascinated with the field of protein science. This summer, she is working at Dr. Liangcai Gu’s lab in the Institute for Protein Design to construct a combinatorial library based on computationally designed protein scaffold to develop a novel chemically induced dimerization system, which will have a wide array of possible applications such as the control of biological pathways, and therapeutics/diagnostics development.
Outside of School, Kurumi enjoys watercolor painting and taking walks around the parks in Seattle. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. program in the near future to continue her studies in biochemistry.