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In 2006, Maynard joined the chemical engineering faculty to continue studying genetic engineering approaches to address human diseases. She is determining how to isolate molecules on the surface of protective cells in the body that attach poorly to their intended targets. These receptor molecules may play a role in autoimmune diseases and the ability of cancers to proliferate. Maynard’s other projects include one focused on learning how to commandeer bacteria’s ability to inject material into human cells and use it to inject drugs or other helpful substances. |
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Photos at left: Dr. Jennifer Maynard injects a protein mixture into a test tube before it goes into the FPCL (Fast Performance Liquid Chromatography) system, used for protein purification. |
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Photo at left: Maynard's work includes identifying a protective protein that could glom onto a critical toxin that allows anthrax to destroy human cells. Maynard used a technology called “phage display” to select for one antibody protein among thousands that could attach much better to this anthrax toxin than normal, removing it from the body. |
