Research field

Functionalizing recombinant antibodies with unnatural amino acids is a promising tool to create antibody drug conjugates. By expanding the genetic code it is possible to introduce non-proteinogenic amino acids at specific positions of a protein. This methodology has been proven to work in different host organisms, among them the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris.

The aim of this project is to establish a P. pastoris platform for efficient incorporation of unnatural amino acids (uaa) in recombinant antibodies. Different anticodons for uaa and the respective synthetic tRNAs will be evaluated, and uptake of the uaa into the cells will be characterized and optimized. Incorporation of uaa in recombinant antibodies will be evaluated in quality and quantity in small scale and bioreactor cultivations.

The method spectrum will include state-of-the-art high throughput methods such as Golden Gate Cloning, CRISPR/Cas9, generation of genetic libraries and FACS screening, protein characterization with mass spectrometry, and lab scale bioreactor cultivation.  

Research will take place in the working group “Microbial Biotechnology” at the Department of Biotechnology at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU) http://www.biotec.boku.ac.at/arbeitsgruppenresearch-groups/research-group-mattanovich-gasser-sauer

Application deadline: 30.11.2017

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