Jacob Capener
Target Validation and Therapeutics Development for Casein Kinase 1 Gamma
Abstract
Despite decades of intensive research, the scientific community still focuses on a narrow subset of proteins for drug development for almost all human diseases. To increase the number of pioneer targets for cancer therapeutics, the community must first develop the tools to study these proteins. Our work seeks to understand the potential of inhibiting the activity of a small subset of understudied proteins known as the Casein Kinase Gamma 1 (CK1g) subfamily. To accomplish this, we have developed several chemical tools that can selectively block the activation of this protein, and we aim to use these tools to understand better the role CK1g plays in its signaling pathway in the cell, in the healthy human body, and in contributing to the progression of cancer. This study aims to inform future drug discovery decisions for CK1g therapeutics.
I am honored that the PhRMA Foundation has recognized our chemical tool development project focused on uncovering the biology of the CK1γ kinases. This award will help us continue to interrogate understudied proteins as potential drug targets.
