Lino Gonzalez from Genentech to Present at GTCbio's 2nd Protein Therapeutics Discovery & Development Conference
Lino Gonzalez from Genentech to Present at GTCbio's 2nd Protein Therapeutics Discovery & Development Conference on September 8-9, 2008 in San Diego, CA


/Biotechnology News Articles/ - MONROVIA, CA, June 13, 2008 - Dr. Lino Gonzalez from Genentech will be speaking at GTCbio's 2nd Protein Therapeutics Discovery & Development conference on September 8-9, 2008 in San Diego, CA. Dr. Gonzalez will present on identifying novel receptor-ligand interactions using SPR, BLI and protein microarrays.

Now that the human genome is complete, one of the next steps is to understand the interactions between all transmembrane and secreted proteins, which represent about one-third of all human genes. This knowledge would greatly aid in characterizing the biological function of many receptors/ligand pairs and their potential as therapeutic targets. Dr. Gonzalez and his colleagues concentrate on receptors of the immune system, in particular the immunoglobulin receptor family. Surprisingly, a significant number of these receptors still remain orphans. In order to identify candidate partners, Dr. Gonzalez and his group have utilized Genentech's SPDI (Secreted Protein Discovery Initiative) protein library, consisting of over 1,000 purified, secreted proteins. They have used surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and Bio-layer interferometry (BLI) technology to screen hundreds of interactions per day. To date, this work has led to the identification of several novel interactions that are now being evaluated for their therapeutic potential. The first was an interaction between the B and T Lymphocyte Attenuator (BTLA) and the tumor necrosis factor receptor Herpes Virus Entry Mediator (HVEM). Dr. Gonzalez and his colleagues have recently increased their screening capacity to the thousands of interactions per day by generating protein microarrays from the SPDI library. They are using these protein arrays to identify novel receptor interactions with the hope that they may become future therapeutic targets for fighting disease.

Dr. Gonzalez will highlight technologies and methodologies for screening extracellular protein interactions, and will also discuss development of secreted protein microarrays and analysis of potential hits, methods for validating extracellular protein interactions, and share examples of functionally validated hits.

GTCbio's 2nd Annual Protein Therapeutics Discovery and Development Conference will explore the therapeutic applications of proteins, with a look at discovery and design of therapeutics, overcoming challenges associated with protein based drugs, and new tools and strategies in process development. Finally, attendees will get an update on novel developments in protein therapeutics. The keynote presentation will be given by Dr. Michael Hanley, Vice President of Discovery Research & CSO of Amylin Pharmaceuticals.

For more information including a detailed agenda, exhibitor opportunities and registration information visit http://gtcbio.com/conferenceDetails.aspx?id=128.

Further Related Resources:


Press Release Contact Information:

Rania Hafez
GTCbio
Marketing Director
434 W. Foothill Blvd.
Monrovia, CA
USA 91106
Voice: 626-256-6405
Fax: 626-256-6460
Website: Visit Our Website