Reshaping the Immune Response Through Biomolecular Engineering

10 AM EST | November 25, 2026

The repertoire of naturally occurring proteins is finite, and many molecules induce multiple confounding effects that limit their therapeutic efficacy. Protein engineering has traditionally relied on unbiased approaches, but advances in our understanding of protein structure-function relationships now create an opportunity to apply molecular principles to guide the redesign of existing proteins and the creation of entirely new ones.

We are excited to invite Dr. Jamie Spangler to present her laboratory's structure-based engineering approach. By combining cutting-edge tools in structural biology and molecular design, her group seeks to identify the mechanistic determinants of protein activity and use those insights to inform therapeutic development.

In this webinar, Dr. Spangler will highlight work spanning the discovery, design, and translation of novel molecular immunotherapeutics. Her group engineers immune proteins, including cytokines, growth factors, and antibodies, to bias immune responses toward targeted disease treatment. The talk will also address persistent barriers to protein therapeutics, including delivery, acquired resistance, and toxicity, and will explore applications in cancer, autoimmune disorders, and regenerative medicine.

Key points to be discussed during the session:

• How structural and mechanistic insights can guide biomolecular engineering
• Strategies for engineering cytokines, growth factors, and antibodies to bias immune responses
• Translation of molecular immunotherapeutics for cancer, autoimmune disorders, and regenerative medicine

Jamie Spangler, PhD
Associate Professor,
Johns Hopkins University

Dr. Jamie Spangler earned a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering at Johns Hopkins University and a PhD in Biological Engineering at MIT. After completing a postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford University School of Medicine, she launched an independent research group at Johns Hopkins University in 2017, jointly between the departments of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering. Located in the Translational Therapeutics and Regenerative Engineering Center at the School of Medicine, her lab applies structural and mechanistic insights to re-engineer existing proteins and design new proteins that therapeutically modulate the immune response. Her group focuses on immune molecules such as cytokines, growth factors, and antibodies for targeted treatment of cancer and autoimmune disorders.

For research use only. Not intended for any clinical use.