Steve Swenson

Biography

My main area of scientific interest lies in the development of novel direct acting protein based drugs to be utilized in the fight against disease. This interest has been addressed and will continue to be pursued through three distinct but related studies: The development of novel protein based agents, understanding their mechanism of action and effect on disease The delivery and efficient targeting of protein based therapeutics characterizing their biochemical and biophysical properties. Modification of proteinsand gaining an understanding of their action for use as diagnostic and imaging agents in determination of disease progression. My future research plans in the near term involve continued development of the snake venom disintegrin CN as a clinically applicable therapeutic agent both in collaboration with the Markland laboratory and as an independent investigator. In one study, we plan to biochemically, biophysically and biologically evaluate a recombinant version of contortrostatin (rCN) under production in Dr. Marklands laboratory. In addition to the rCN characterization development of assays to assure rCN batch-to-batch production quality and homogeneity are under way.

Research Interest

development of novel direct acting protein based drugs to be utilized in the fight against disease.