Host: Tony Ly

Venue: Sir Kenneth & Lady Noreen Murray Seminar Room, CTIR 2.84

Abstract

The quest for unbiased spatial proteomic discovery is critical in understanding the complex microenvironments within biological tissues. Traditional methods like proximity labelling and Laser Capture Microdissection (LCM) have their limitations: proximity labelling suffers from sample restriction (non-human models) and can lead to biased results due to incomplete labelling, while LCM is laborious and often lacks the precision needed for single-cell resolution.

• Introduction to the SynCell Microscoop Mint: Discover its groundbreaking features and benefits along with a workflow overview.
• Functional Biology Examples: Explore how the Microscoop Mint is being applied in diverse fields such as:
• Cell biology
• Neurodegenerative disease
• Drug discovery
• Immuno-oncology

• Developmental biology

   

• Technical Insights: Learn how Microscoop Mint achieves spatial protein purification by introducing in situ subcellular photo-biotinylation of proteins at user-defined regions of interest (ROIs) one field of view (FOV) at a time for thousands of FOVs fully automatically. With mass spectrometry, Microscoop enables the discovery of subcellular proteomes in high sensitivity, specificity, and resolution.

Matteo Cattaneo, Field Application Specialist, will be presenting in person. Matteo's kindly agreed to stay after his seminar and would be happy to meet anyone who is interested in learning more about the technology. Please register your interest here. https://go.syncell.com/seminar-dundee

Hosts: Dr Henry McSorley, Dr Linda Sinclair & Dr Andy Howden

Venue: Sir Kenneth & Lady Noreen Murray Seminar Room, CTIR 2.84

Abstract  

Agonistic antibodies directed to immunostimulatory receptors are a currently untapped source for immunotherapy. Whereas checkpoint blockers have translated into the clinic, the rules for agonistic antibodies have been more difficult to discern and these reagents await further optimisation. Here we highlight the salient properties of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) required to strongly agonise these receptors and discuss potential strategies for leveraging them for immune activation and anti-tumour efficacy. Using TNFR superfamily receptors as a paradigm the following key aspects will be discussed: The role of isotype; properties of the epitope; the importance of antibody hinge flexibility and the impact of affinity on delivering receptor agonism. 

Biography 

Mark Cragg is Professor of Experimental Cancer Biology in the School of Cancer Sciences at the University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine. He is a member of the Antibody and Vaccine Group, joint Deputy Head of School Research in Cancer Sciences and Director of the MRC DTP in Translational Biomedical Sciences. His research concerns how therapeutics result in tumour regression with a focus on antibodies and small molecules, with a particular interest in Fc receptors and TNFR family members. The aim is to understand how these therapeutics delete tumour cells, how resistance occurs, and how it might be overcome through antibody engineering. 

Throughout the strategy undertaken is highly translational with iterative cycling between in vitro experiments, appropriate in vivo model systems, and primary clinical material. He sits on advisory boards for several charities, institutes and companies and has published over 200 research papers. In 2024, he was made a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences in recognition of his contribution to the development of antibody immunotherapy. 

This Seminar is fully funded by External Sources  

Host: Prof Nicola Ternette

Venue: MSI, Small Lecture Theatre, SLS

Bio 

Our laboratory specialises in targeted and global quantitative proteomics of complex biological samples, with a specific focus on identifying targets of the immune response and host-pathogen interactions. The laboratory has an outstanding track record in delivering high end outcomes including recent publications in highly regarding peer reviewed journals including Nature, Nature Immunol, Science Immunology, Nat Struc Mol Biol, Nature Comunications, PNAS,, J Exp Med, Immunity, Nature Protocols, Mol Cell Proteomics, Proteomics, and J Proteomics. We combine cutting edge proteomics with human immunology, molecular virology, structural and functional immunology to address a wide variety of immune questions.