The Protein Therapeutics Laboratory is a part of the Department of Nephrology and Transplantation and is also a constituent unit of the MRC Centre for Transplantation. The objective of the PTL is to discover and carry out translational research on novel protein and peptide therapeutic agents in the general areas of immunology and inflammatory disease but with a special emphasis on therapies that can have a near-term impact on transplantation outcomes. The PTL has developed a novel and generic protein engineering technology termed cytotopic modification which enables soluble proteins or peptides to bind to cell surfaces. This approach enables organs to be perfused with engineered proteins prior to transplantation so that both innate and adaptive immune responses can be manipulated within the transplanted organ rather than through systemic treatment of the organ recipient. One agent using this technology has entered pilot clinical studies in renal transplantation . The laboratory has research collaborations with a number of academic groups in the UK and elsewhere and these include an active programme with the imaging group at KCL. The PTL will also develop relationships with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies to assist translation of its agents to the clinic.

Therapeutic agents in transplantation, complement system biology, protein engineering, membrane structure