# Protein Production

> **NIH NIH P01** · DANA-FARBER CANCER INST · 2021 · $384,255

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
The T cell receptor (TCR) endows mammals with the capacity to detect cellular perturbations in a host
resulting from myriad infectious pathogens, physical damage (thermal, irradiation, etc.) or pre-malignant or
malignant cellular transformations while averting strong self-reactivities that could induce autoimmunity. The
recent discoveries uncovering the mechanoreceptor properties of the TCR and its developmental precursor,
the preTCR, have far-reaching implications in T cell biology. The overall goal of this Program Project is to
understand the molecular underpinnings of TCR function through a convergence of single molecule, structural
and biological investigations. First, Core B will support each project by providing protein production at scales
appropriate for single molecule, single cell, NMR, or X-ray crystallography. The range of proteins to be
produced in wild-type, conjugated, or mutated forms include: TCRαβ, TCRβ, preTCR (pTα/β), MHCI (full length
and truncated), and MHCI-like T22, CD1c and CD1d. Core B operates synergistically, where the experimental
(Project 1-3) and computational teams (Core C) will cooperate with the protein production team to guide
mutant design, construct selection and subsequent production. Our teams have already laid the foundation for
successful demonstration of this workflow. Second, Core B will serve as a central repository for DNA
sequences and constructs to assist in transfer of knowledge between projects. We have designed a vector
suite facilitating the transfer of each clonotypic TCR sequence as well as sequences of MHC between each
technique encompassed in the Program Project. Third, Core B will work closely with Project 3 to incorporate
specific labeling technologies into both prokaryotic and eukaryotic protein production processes. By combining
these critical functions, Core B will be a central hub contributing to the entire program.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10225505
- **Project number:** 5P01AI143565-02
- **Recipient organization:** DANA-FARBER CANCER INST
- **Principal Investigator:** Robert Joseph Mallis
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $384,255
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-07-29 → 2025-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10225505

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10225505, Protein Production (5P01AI143565-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10225505. Licensed CC0.

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