BATS

Date/Time:

Sep 30, 2022 - 12:00 PM

Location:

Hosts:

Bevin Engelward

Speaker:

Title:

A Platform for the Generation of Targeted, Orally-available Cyclotide Therapeutics

Abstract:

Cyclotides are cyclic peptides that exhibit exceptional stability to extremes of pH, heat, and protease concentration. Their solvent-exposed loops are amenable to mutation, raising the possibility of engineering orally-available mini binders. Some cyclotides exhibit cell entry capability so their target space could include intracellular proteins. To accelerate the development of this exciting new modality, we aim to use yeast surface display to create a platform for the generation of high affinity cyclotide binders to any target protein.

Speaker:

Title:

Precise Cut-and-Paste DNA Insertion with Engineered Type V-K CRISPR-associated Transposases

Abstract:

CRISPR-associated transposases (CASTs) enable recombination-independent, multi-kilobase DNA insertions at RNA-programmed sequences. Despite their promise, type V-K CASTs are hindered by high off-target integration and low product purity. Here, we develop HELIX – which employs a nicking homing endonuclease to turn any type V-K CAST into a highly specific DNA inserter with high product purity. Moreover, we create functional fusion proteins, discover a specificity-increasing host factor, and show initial feasibility of HELIX function in eukaryotic contexts.