The Matoba Laboratory of Biopharmaceutical Research
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About
The Matoba Lab focuses on the design and engineering of recombinant proteins as novel therapeutics for cancer, infectious diseases, and mucosal inflammatory disorders. Using advanced protein engineering techniques, we aim to enhance drug efficacy, stability, and target specificity.
A key area of our research involves the development of immunotherapeutic proteins that selectively bind to clustering high-mannose glycans – biomarkers commonly found in tumors and certain viral infections. We are also developing a mucosally deliverable biologic intended to promote tissue repair in inflammatory bowel disease and other mucosal inflammatory conditions.
Beyond discovery research, the lab has extensive experience in translational drug development, including the design and qualification of preclinical and clinical assays that have supported Phase I clinical trials for antiviral biologics.
Through these diverse research activities, the Matoba Lab remains committed to advancing biopharmaceutical innovation and translating scientific discoveries into life-saving therapies.
Key Research Areas
- Biopharmaceutical protein engineering and development
- Immunotherapy targeting tumor-associated glycans
- Therapeutics for mucosal healing and inflammatory diseases
- Preclinical and clinical biopharmaceutical development
Current Projects
- Lectikines for Immunotherapy against Ovarian Cancer
- Antitumor potential of AvFc lectibody in non-small cell lung cancer
- Preclinical validation of oral therapeutic lead proteins targeting epithelial GM1 ganglioside for ulcerative colitis therapy
- Investigation of a lectibody targeting tumor-associated oligomannose glycans
- Griffithsin-based Rectal Microbicides for PREvention of Viral ENTry (PREVENT)
- Plant-produced Actinohivin as a Candidate HIV Microbicide
Expression of Decontructed HIV-1 Virus-Like Particles in Bioengineered Plants
Team
- Kathleen Kitterman, MS – Laboratory Manager, kathleen.kitterman@louisville.edu
- Wendy Cecil, MS – Graduate Student, wendy.cecil@louisville.edu
- Katarina Mayer, MS – Graduate Student | katarina.mayer@louisville.edu
- Jimmy Cifuentes, MS, DVM – Graduate Student | jimmy.cifuentes@louisville.edu
- Ian Santisteban Celis, BS – Graduate Student | ian.santisteban@louisville.edu
Recent Publications
- Effects of Air Temperature on Transient Expression of Influenza Hemagglutinin in Nicotiana benthamiana: Analysis of Transgene Transcription and Plant Stress Responses
- Preclinical Long-Term Stability and Forced Degradation Assessment of EPICERTIN, a Mucosal Healing Biotherapeutic for Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Lectibodies as antivirals
- varen-Fc: A Novel Immunotherapeutic Strategy to Target High-Mannose-Glycans in Ovarian Cancer
The Unfolded Protein Response and Its Implications for Novel Therapeutic Strategies in Inflammatory Bowel