Ploegh Lab | Lab Members

My general interest lies in the development of nanobody-based therapeutics to modulate immune responses. In my current work, I am applying such tools to improve immunity to infectious diseases, specifically malaria. When not in the lab, you can usually find me hiking or exercising outdoors!

I am interested in developing nanobody-based immunotherapeutic strategies to treat myeloproliferative neoplasms driven by mutations of the CALR gene, as well as precising the role and biodistribution of circulating CALR oncoproteins in these diseases. I am using a combination of several approaches, including nanobody production, linking of small molecules/peptides to nanobodies through endopeptidase-mediated reactions and immuno-PET.

My research interests are "targeted imaging and therapeutic agents, influenza research."

I am currently working on the development of nanobodies against the Ub-Proteasome System (UPS) and UBLs, and the application of nanobodies to remodel UPS and UBLs. 

Pavana Suresh, PhD
PhD in Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Stony Brook University, New York

I am currently working on elucidating the biochemical and structural characteristics of E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes using alpaca-derived nanobodies.

My research interest focuses on developing different nanobodies, nanomaterial-nanobody conjugations by click chemistry and targeting them to different cells, tissues. I also investigate the biodistribution of these conjugations by PET.

I am interested in deciphering the complex roles of E2 enzymes, an important group of enzymes involved in ubiquitin conjugation. Ubiquitination is an important post-translational modification within the cell and plays many key roles in cellular functioning. Having the ability to study and manipulate them with nanobodies will greatly help in our understanding of these enzymes and how they contribute to health and disease.

My interest is in cancer and immunology. Project: using nanobodies to target mutated KRAS in pancreatic cancer.