Jessica Kramer
Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering and
Adjunct Associate Professor of Molecular Pharmaceutics and of Chemistry
Polymer Chemistry, Protein Engineering, Glycobiology
Biological Chemistry Program
Education
B.S. University of Utah
Ph.D. University of California, Los Angeles
Research
Synthetic Mucins and Mucus, Saliva, and Tears:
Mucus, saliva, and tears are natural biomaterials that lubricate and hydrate tissues.
They also control passage of drugs, nutrients, and pathogens into the underlying cells
and house the majority of the microbiome. The Kramer lab studies how these processes
are regulated by mucin glycoproteins, which are the major component of these fluids.
We developed methodology to prepare fully synthetic mucins with precisely tunable
structures. Our research has applications in drug delivery, infection, and immunity,
and in therapeutics for dry eye, xerostomia, and anti-infectives.
The Glycocalyx in Cancer and Infection:
The surface of every epithelial and endothelial cell is covered with an array of glycoproteins,
predominantly mucins, that collectively form the glycocalyx. Cancer cells have a strikingly
altered glycocalyx, but the causes and effects are poorly understood. The glycocalyx
is also involved in infection by viruses, bacteria, and fungi. The Kramer lab has
developed tools for precision engineering of the glycocalyx with synthetic mucins.
At the molecular level, we can control glycocalyx height, mechanics, and glycans presented.
We are using our methodology to systematically study cancer and infection to contribute
to new diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines.
Synthetic Antifreeze Proteins and Biological Cryopreservation:
Storage under freezing conditions is essential to prolong the lifetime of biologics
such as protein drugs, nanoparticle drugs, cell products, and potentially even whole
organs. However, ice crystals formed during freeze/thaw can damage these materials.
The Kramer lab has developed a series of ice inhibitors based on the structures of
natural antifreeze proteins produced by extremophile organisms. Our synthetic polypeptides
are non-toxic, digestible, effective at ultra-low concentration and, in some cases,
are extremely economical to prepare. Our research has broad implications for improved
cryopreservation of biologics, and could even be used in foods.