Mark A. Sullivan, Ph.D.

See information for Patients. Viewing information for Researchers.

The ability to rapidly isolate human antibodies using phage display has opened up new approaches to understanding protein function. Research in my laboratory is focused on the manipulation of immunoglobulin molecules to develop novel reagents for characterization of protein expression and structure. We are using phage antibody technology in several areas of proteomics research to develop improved reagents for protein characterization as well as novel inhibitors of protein function that will aid in defining the roles of the many new proteins discovered through genomic sequencing. Major efforts are aimed at dissecting the saliva proteome and developing panels of antibodies for incorporation into new diagnostic platforms using protein microarrays. A second initiative is to derive antibodies useful for solving the structure of proteins by X-ray crystallography. Additional studies focus on the therapeutic potential of single-chain antibodies to reduce protein aggregation and misfolding, a process that characterizes a variety of neurodegenerative diseases.

Current Appointments

• Research Associate Professor - Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for Oral Biology (SMD)

Lab Description

Phage antibody technology in the development of novel reagents for characterization of protein expression and structures

Lab Website

http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/Gebs/faculty/Sullivanlabpage.html