David Spiegel

“Using Small Molecules to Engineer and Explore Human Immunity.”

Research in the Spiegel Laboratory utilizes techniques and insights from organic chemistry to modulate and/or create immunological function. This talk will describe our lab’s recent efforts in this field, which range from complex molecule synthesis to the creation of novel paradigms in immunotherapy. Specific topics to be discussed will include: (1) investigations into advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) – a class of complex, non-enzymatic post-translational modifications of proteins with effects on immune function; (2) rational design and biological characterization of immunomodulatory small molecules, called antibody-recruiting molecules (ARMs) and small-molecule antibody mimics (SyAMs); and (3) development of technologies for rapid identification of selective ligands for cell surface targets.