Research descriptions
Background
Translational science is a discipline within biomedical and public health research that aims to improve the health of individuals and communities by translating findings from basic research studies into diagnostic tools, medicine, procedures and education.
Dr. Sunil Thomas specializes in translational science. With a strong and varied background in microbiology, immunology, molecular biology and cell biology, he has developed diagnostic tools and vaccines for disorders that afflict millions of people every year.
Gastrointestinal disorders
Dr. Thomas is investigating whether Bin1antibody could provide protection against colitis. It has been demonstrated that Bin1 is a genetic modifier of experimental colitis that controls the paracellular pathway of transcellular ion transport regulated by cellular tight junctions. Dr. Thomas has discovered that Bin1 antibody can exert drug-like properties in an animal model. He is part of a team that is in a Phase 1 clinical trial for a medication to treat colitis using an innovative immunotherapy technique.
Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease that afflicts primarily the elderly. Characterized by a progressive loss of memory and intellectual ability, AD affects more than 44 million people worldwide and is projected to increase to 135 million people by 2050. Unfortunately, there are no medications to prevent onset or to cure those living with the disease.
In recent years, the human gene Bin1 has emerged as one of the most important genes in affecting the incidence of sporadic AD. Dr. Thomas is part of a team that is exploring whether anti- Bin1antibody could act as a drug to treat AD.
Vaccines
Antibiotics and vaccines are the therapeutic strategies employed in the control and prevention of bacterial diseases. Abuse/misuse of antibiotics has resulted in the generation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Hence, there is a need to develop new therapeutic strategies in the control of bacterial infectious diseases.
Dr. Thomas modeled the membrane protein of SARS-CoV-2 and showed that it functions as a sugar transporter. He also mapped the non-structural proteins and accessory proteins of SARS-CoV-2. He created a groundbreaking resource for scientists seeking to develop new and better outcomes in the fight against COVID-19 called the COVID-19 Genetic Resource Guide—the world’s first compendium of the genetic code and protein structure of SARS-CoV-2.
Dr. Thomas has developed several subunit vaccines for the infectious disease ehrlichiosis, which is transmitted by ticks. He pioneered the concept of structure-based vaccines for the disease, and he holds four patents for the development of diagnostic approaches and vaccines for the illness. He has also developed the concept of using sonicated vaccines to protect against Ehrlichia infection.
Diagnostic tools
Dr. Thomas also has developed several diagnostic techniques. He was responsible for the development of molecular and immunological kits for the detection of sandal spike phytoplasma. He was the first to develop an ELISA kit to quantify lipid rafts in T cells, a technique is widely used today in immunology laboratories.
Dr. Thomas also pioneered the development of the Eastern Blotting technique to detect post-translational protein modifications. The technique paved the way for developing diagnostic probes for the detection of Ehrlichia, an intracellular bacterial pathogen in humans and animals. The probes developed were also used to elucidate the exit mechanism of Ehrlichia.
Additionally, he was part of a team that discovered the monoclonal antibody IDO (clone 4B7), which is currently being marketed as a diagnostic probe for immunohistology in basic cancer research.
Future directions
Looking ahead, Dr. Thomas is interested in developing immunotherapies for ulcerative colitis and Alzheimer’s disease, and he will be involved in development of vaccines for infectious diseases.
About his lab
Dr. Thomas’ lab focuses on the translational studies to develop immunotherapies for various diseases. Current interests include the development of Bin mAb for the protection of ulcerative colitis and Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Thomas also is interested in studying the uptake mechanism of antibodies into cells. Animal models will be used to study molecular and immunological underpinnings during immunotherapy.
Patents
- Sunil Thomas, James Mullin, George C. Prendergast (2015). Methods and compositions for the treatment of diseases and disorders (US62/105,358).
- Sunil Thomas and David H. Walker (2015). Methods for detecting Ehrlichia infection (US 9,151,755 B2).
- Sunil Thomas (2014). In vitro biosimulator to induce pattern formation in non-adherent cells (US62/072,313).
- Sunil Thomas and David H. Walker (2014). Vaccine to protect against Ehrlichia infection (US62/066,461).
- Sunil Thomas and David H. Walker (2014).Compositions of and method of using heat shock protein peptides (US 8,685,406 B2).
- Sunil Thomas and David H. Walker (2013). Diagnosis and treatment of ehrlichiosis (US 8,492,103 B2).
Products commercialized
IDO1 Monoclonal Antibody
