Protein sequence-function analysis for the identification of better drug targets
Thematic Area: Health Care and Wellness
Faculty Mentors: Chris Hill, Department of Biochemistry; Chris Miles, Department of Mathematics
Most modern medicines work by targeting proteins in the body. However, major challenges exist in identifying which proteins to target for a given disease, and where on the protein a drug should attach for maximum effectiveness. Jeff Swan is tackling this bottleneck using specialized AI models that treat proteins’ genetic sequences as a language, decoding how they translate into biological function. Through his research, he will develop methods to extract the AI’s internal decision-making processes and use them to identify the chemical structures within proteins that make the most valuable targets for pharmaceutical intervention. This strategy will then be applied to a broad range of potential drug targets, providing proof-of-concept and paving the way for new therapeutic discoveries. Ultimately, Swan’s research aims to streamline drug development, offering hope to patients who currently lack effective treatment options.
Swan has worked in the laboratory of Chris Hill since 2024 as a Jane Coffins Childs Postdoctoral Fellow. He holds a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of California Santa Cruz, following a master’s in chemistry from the University of Colorado Boulder, and a bachelor’s in biochemistry and molecular biology from Michigan State University.
