Genentech Logo

Scientist Profile

Melissa Starovasnik

Vice President, Protein Sciences
Back to Scientist Profiles
 
"Genentech provides a highly stimulating working environment where one regularly interacts with bright and talented individuals, who inspire creativity and success and are all motivated by a strong shared desire to discover and develop important medicines that will make a difference in patients' lives."

I came to Genentech first as a postdoctoral fellow in the protein NMR group in 1993, and was hired as a scientist in Protein Engineering in 1995. I was drawn to pursue research here because of the exciting and high-quality science taking place; our highly collaborative, multidisciplinary approach; and the opportunity to work with exceptionally talented colleagues. Throughout my time here, I have been involved in many exciting projects, all sharing the common theme of exploring protein/peptide structure and function, with an emphasis on the study of molecular recognition and application to drug development.

My role has broadened significantly in recent years, where I now have both scientific and operational responsibilities within our research organization. On the science side, I lead the Structural Biology department encompassing high-throughput protein expression, NMR spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography, with the aim to provide a detailed structural understanding of the molecular nature of our drug targets and candidates. While on the operations side, I oversee all operational activities for our 1300-member research organization, and serve on the research leadership team.

See More

 
 
My Focus

Research in the Structural Biology department involves three-dimensional structural analyses of proteins and peptides of therapeutic interest. This analysis is used to develop a better understanding of how the molecules function in biology and determine how best to intervene therapeutically to influence human disease.

Our research supports drug discovery for multiple therapeutic areas, but I have a particular interest in the study of molecular interactions impacting B-cell biology.

See More

 
Publications & Recognition
  • Engineering human IgG1 affinity to human neonatal Fc receptor: impact of affinity improvement on pharmacokinetics in primates
  • J Immunol 2009 Jun 15; 182(12): 7663-71
  • Yeung YA, Leabman MK, Marvin JS, Qiu J, Adams CW, Lien S, Starovasnik MA, Lowman HB
  • View Abstract on PubMed
  • Anti-BR3 antibodies: a new class of B-cell immunotherapy combining cellular depletion and survival blockade
  • Blood 2007 Dec 1; 110(12): 3959-67
  • Lin WY, Gong Q, Seshasayee D, Lin Z, Ou Q, Ye S, Suto E, Shu J, Lee WP, Lee CW, Fuh G, Leabman M, Iyer S, Howell K, Gelzleichter T, Beyer J, Danilenko D, Yeh S, DeForge LE, Ebens A, Thompson JS, Ambrose C, Balazs M, Starovasnik MA, Martin F
  • View Abstract on PubMed
  • Synthetic anti-BR3 antibodies that mimic BAFF binding and target both human and murine B cells
  • Blood 2006 Nov 1; 108(9): 3103-11
  • Lee CV, Hymowitz SG, Wallweber HJ, Gordon NC, Billeci KL, Tsai SP, Compaan DM, Yin J, Gong Q, Kelley RF, DeForge LE, Martin F, Starovasnik MA, Fuh G
  • View Abstract on PubMed
 
View All Publications & Recognition
 
  • University of Washington, Department of Biochemistry
  • Ph.D
  • 1987--1992
  • University of Washington, Department of Chemistry
  • B.S
  • 1983-1987
Publications & Recognition
  • Engineering human IgG1 affinity to human neonatal Fc receptor: impact of affinity improvement on pharmacokinetics in primates
  • J Immunol 2009 Jun 15; 182(12): 7663-71
  • Yeung YA, Leabman MK, Marvin JS, Qiu J, Adams CW, Lien S, Starovasnik MA, Lowman HB
  • View Abstract on PubMed
  • Anti-BR3 antibodies: a new class of B-cell immunotherapy combining cellular depletion and survival blockade
  • Blood 2007 Dec 1; 110(12): 3959-67
  • Lin WY, Gong Q, Seshasayee D, Lin Z, Ou Q, Ye S, Suto E, Shu J, Lee WP, Lee CW, Fuh G, Leabman M, Iyer S, Howell K, Gelzleichter T, Beyer J, Danilenko D, Yeh S, DeForge LE, Ebens A, Thompson JS, Ambrose C, Balazs M, Starovasnik MA, Martin F
  • View Abstract on PubMed
  • Synthetic anti-BR3 antibodies that mimic BAFF binding and target both human and murine B cells
  • Blood 2006 Nov 1; 108(9): 3103-11
  • Lee CV, Hymowitz SG, Wallweber HJ, Gordon NC, Billeci KL, Tsai SP, Compaan DM, Yin J, Gong Q, Kelley RF, DeForge LE, Martin F, Starovasnik MA, Fuh G
  • View Abstract on PubMed
  • Structures of APRIL-receptor complexes: like BCMA, TACI employs only a single cysteine-rich domain for high affinity ligand binding
  • J Biol Chem 2005 Feb 25; 280(8): 7218-27
  • Hymowitz SG, Patel DR, Wallweber HJ, Runyon S, Yan M, Yin J, Shriver SK, Gordon NC, Pan B, Skelton NJ, Kelley RF, Starovasnik MA
  • View Abstract on PubMed
  • Convergent recognition of the IgE binding site on the high-affinity IgE receptor
  • Structure (Camb) 2004 Jul; 12(7): 1289-301
  • Stamos J, Eigenbrot C, Nakamura GR, Reynolds ME, Yin J, Lowman HB, Fairbrother WJ, Starovasnik MA
  • View Abstract on PubMed
  • BAFF/BLyS receptor 3 comprises a minimal TNF receptor-like module that encodes a highly focused ligand-binding site
  • Biochemistry 2003 May 27; 42(20): 5977-83
  • Gordon NC, Pan B, Hymowitz SG, Yin J, Kelley RF, Cochran AG, Yan M, Dixit VM, Fairbrother WJ, Starovasnik MA
  • View Abstract on PubMed
  • BAFF/BLyS receptor 3 binds the B cell survival factor BAFF ligand through a discrete surface loop and promotes processing of NF-kappaB2
  • Immunity 2002 Oct; 17(4): 515-24
  • Kayagaki N, Yan M, Seshasayee D, Wang H, Lee W, French DM, Grewal IS, Cochran AG, Gordon NC, Yin J, Starovasnik MA, Dixit VM
  • View Abstract on PubMed
  • Stable "zeta" peptides that act as potent antagonists of the high-affinity IgE receptor
  • Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2002 Feb 5; 99(3): 1303-8
  • Nakamura GR, Reynolds ME, Chen YM, Starovasnik MA, Lowman HB
  • IL-17s adopt a cystine knot fold: structure and activity of a novel cytokine, IL-17F, and implications for receptor binding
  • EMBO J 2001 Oct 1; 20(19): 5332-41
  • Hymowitz SG, Filvaroff EH, Yin J, Lee J, Cai L, Risser P, Maruoka M, Mao W, Foster J, Kelley RF, Pan G, Gurney AL, de Vos AM, Starovasnik MA
  • View Abstract on PubMed
  • Tryptophan zippers: stable, monomeric beta-hairpins
  • Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2001 May 8; 98(10): 5578-83
  • Cochran AG, Skelton NJ, Starovasnik MA
  • View Abstract on PubMed
  • Structural mimicry of a native protein by a minimized binding domain
  • Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1997 Sep 16; 94(19): 10080-5
  • Starovasnik MA, Braisted AC, Wells JA
  • View Abstract on PubMed
See More
Awards & Honors
  • National Science Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship - 1987-1990
  • Merck Index Award, Outstanding Senior Chemist, University of Washington - 1987
  • Iota Sigma Pi Scholarship, Outstanding Female Chemistry Graduate, University of Washington - 1987
  • Zahlia Jenks Rowe Academic Scholarship in Chemistry, University of Washington - 1985-1987

Ellen Filvaroff, Senior Scientist and Alex Avardo, Receipent of Free Medicine From the Genentech® Access to Care Foundation, on the cover of Genentech's 2006 Annual Report.