Scientists from the Scripps Research Institute have discovered a catalytic antibody that degrades a known appetite stimulant. The antibody works against the gastric hormone ghrelin, which has been linked to weight gain and fat storage through its metabolic actions. These findings point toward a potentially novel treatment for obesity that would interfere directly with some of the biological mechanisms determining weight, according to the researchers.
During this week's podcast, Scripps' Dr. Kim Janda outlines his team's antibody experiment and talks about the research results in mice. He explains why the new approach, called passive immunopharmacotherapy, might eventually be a promising method for treating obesity in people.
Kim Janda, Ph.D.Ely R. Callaway, Jr. Professor of Chemistry
PROFESSOR
Director, Worm Institute of Research & Medicine (WIRM)
Department of Chemistry
TSRI - 1985
Joint Appointments
Immunology
The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology
Education
B.S., University of South Florida, 1980
M.S., University of Arizona, 1983
Ph.D., University of Arizona, 1984
Awards & Activities
Arthur C. Cope Scholar Award 1999; NIH First Award 1990-1995
Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship 1993-1995
University of South Florida Outstanding Alumnus in Chemistry 2001
J. Clarence Karcher Lecturer, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma
Alumni of the Year, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
Editorial Boards: Chemical Reviews, Combinatorial Chemistry Research and Applications, Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters, Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry, Combinatorial Chemistry High-Throughput Screening.
Scientific Advisory Boards: Acidophil LLC, Aventis Pharmaceuticals, Chembiotek Research International, Dihedron LLC, Materia Inc., Joint Scientific Council Committee, Novartis/TSRI.
Steering committees: Novartis/TSRI.