PI: David Baker,
Start-Up Company Name: Next-Generation Protein Therapeutics
Lab/Project Website: http://www.ipd.uw.edu/
Work Location: Nano Engineering and Sciences and Molecular Engineering and Sciences Buildings
Work Hours: Regular Work Week, M-F 8-5pm
Overall Program Goal: Evaluation of commercial opportunities for computationally designed peptide macrocycles.
Intern Project Description and Responsibilities:
- Computationally designed macrocyclic peptides represent a totally new class of drug candidates that have the safety and specificity of antibodies, as well as the stability and manufacturing properties of classical small molecules. The successful candidate will work closely with IPD postdoctoral fellows and Translational Investigators to conduct research to identify commercially relevant application areas for locally-administered designed peptide therapies (e.g. dermal, inhaled, or oral). The successful candidate may also design, synthesize and test some new macrocycles in the lab.
- An intern is needed to support business case assessment for a novel macrocycle drug to treat autoinflammatory disorders. Support in planning and execution of key animal experiments with external collaborators is also needed. An intern could contribute to both a business case analysis and wet lab work if desired.
Pre-requisites: Students should have completed basic biochemistry, organic chemistry, and ideally statistics. Prior lab experience preparing buffers and protein purification is needed for the intern to be qualified for lab work.
Level of Independence: This position will require a reasonably high level of independence.
Learning Opportunities: The intern will learn how to develop a valuation model and target product profile for a vaccine candidate. If the intern decides to work in the lab, then there will be an opportunity to become familiar with GLP compliance.