Devin Schweppe, Ph.D.

Research

My lab will catalog how drugs interact with all of the proteins within cells. Proteins are fundamental to all cellular processes, from signaling and metabolism to how DNA creates copies of itself and repairs itself upon damage. But proteins do not act alone: They interact with a cornucopia of small molecules, including many of the drugs used to treat diseases. Although researchers have developed many methods for measuring these vital interactions, most can only monitor one protein or one chemical at a time. Now, using an array of cutting-edge approaches in computational and molecular biology and proteomics, I will develop a new set of large-scale, automated techniques for identifying all the proteins to which a given drug will bind, including its “target” proteins as well as those it might adhere to accidentally—off-target interactions that could lead to unforeseen side effects. In particular, I will assess how a selected library of some 200 anti-cancer drugs engages with proteins in human cancer cell lines. My work should optimize the development of drugs for treating cancers and other diseases.