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Menno van Lookeren Campagne Senior Scientist: Immunology |
"I joined Genentech as a postdoctoral fellow in 1997 and in 1999 as a scientist in the Immunology Department. I was extremely motivated to join Genentech since it is one of the few places where high quality discovery research and drug development are directly connected. During my years at the company, I have experienced first hand the immense satisfaction of discovering a new receptor-ligand interaction and developing this molecular entity into a novel drug. In the process, I learned to appreciate the many other aspects that are unique to Genentech culture, including the collaborative and creative spirit among the scientists. I'm proud of being a part of this culture and especially proud of contributing to the highest goal one can think of: finding a cure for a devastating disease."
Current Projects "The research projects in my lab are aimed at understanding the role of macrophages, immune cells whose primary function is to defend the host against pathogens, in controlling chronic inflammatory diseases. Through functional screening of macrophage-specific cell surface molecules, we identified a macrophage complement receptor, CRIg, which is required for clearance of pathogens in the circulation, thus preventing systemic bacterial infection. In addition to its function as a phagocytic receptor, the extracellular domain CRIg (Complement Receptor of the Immunoglobulin superfamily) inhibits complement activation and inflammation in experimental models of arthritis. Currently a potent complement inhibitor is being developed for treatment of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), a blinding disease caused by neovascularization in the retina and degeneration of photoreceptors. Next to complement, my lab is validating additional inflammatory pathways as therapeutic targets in AMD."
Collaborations "My lab has been collaborating with various Departments within Genentech. The most exciting collaboration was with the Protein Engineering and Protein Chemistry Departments that resulted in solving the crystal structure of the central complement component C3b in complex with CRIg. This structure has provided insight as to how complement is activated, and also how to generate alternative inhibitors of the complement cascade using structure-based design. In addition, we are collaborating with the Molecular Biology and Bioinfomatics Departments on defining novel macrophage receptors involved in innate responses to pathogens and immune complexes."
Inspiration/Vision "In order to make better drugs and be able to better treat diseases like cancer, multiple sclerosis, arthritis and macular degeneration, one needs a thorough knowledge of the biological basis of disease. Only with scientific rigor, a creative mind and immense dedication can we drive innovation and come up with new and better treatments in the clinic. There is a vast world of unknowns that feeds my curiosity, but what keeps me on the edge is the drive to develop new drugs that can make a big difference in people's lives. With my lab and collaborators, we hope to make more discoveries that will ultimately lead to successful therapies in the near future."