Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics
Heinz Kohler, Ph.D. |
Professor |
Doctoral studies: University of Munich. Postdoctoral: Max Planck Institute Biochemistry Munich. |
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Office phone: (859)257-6486 |
Selected publications |
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| Research statement: Antibodies are nature's means to recognize and target infections agents, foreign and self antigens. Unlike T cells, which require a dual signaling system to become activated, antibodies are molecules which bind to antigens without the help of other molecules. Our laboratory has utilized the immense structural repertoire of the antibody combining site to target cellular receptors on B and T cells in order to stimulate specific immune responses. The efficiency of such anti-clonotypic antibodies for therapy of cancers has been demonstrated in animal models and is currently also in clinical trials of human cancers and of HIV-1 infected individuals.
Polyvalent antibodies, such as IgM and dimeric IgA, are more potent than divalent antibodies 9IgG). We have developed a technique to render divalent anti-tumor antibodies into polyvalent structures. These antibodies are self-binding (autophilic) and target tumor cells with greater efficiency inducing cell death via apoptosis. Such autophilic anti-tumor antibodies can be developed into potent cancer therapeutics. Techniques have been developed to make antibodies penetraing the cellular membrane. This enables us to study intracellular translocations of proteins and gives us the means to neutralize using antibodies proteins involved cellular processes. |
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