Julio A. Camarero started his studies in chemistry at the University of Barcelona (Spain), received his Master of Science degree in 1992, and finished his PhD thesis there in 1996. Afterward, he joined the group of Prof. Tom W. Muir at Rockefeller University as a Burroughs Wellcome Fellow, where he contributed to the development of new chemoselective ligation techniques for the chemical engineering of proteins. In 2000, he moved to the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory as a Distinguished Lawrence Fellow, becoming a senior scientist and head of the Protein Chemistry and Engineering Laboratory in 2003. He joined the University of Southern California in 2008 as an Associate Professor.
His current research interests are focused on the development of new chemical biology approaches using protein splicing and synthetic protein chemistry to study biological processes involved in cancer and bacterial pathogenicity and how they can be modulated or inhibited by small Cys-knotted microproteins called cyclotides. Camarero has authored over 120 peer-reviewed publications and four invited book chapters. His lab is strongly funded by federal (NIH, DoD-CMDRP) and private foundation (American Cancer Society, Melanoma Research Alliance, American Lung Association) sponsors.
Dr. Camarero is a prominent researcher known for his work in protein engineering, chemical biology, and peptide/protein chemistry. One of his notable contributions is in the field of cyclotides, which are small, cyclic peptides with remarkable stability and diverse biological activities. Cyclotides are small, disulfide-rich peptides that have a stable cyclic backbone, making them highly resistant to enzymatic degradation. They have potential applications in drug design and development due to their stability and ability to bind to specific targets for the development of targeted therapies. Dr. Camarero’s work has significantly advanced the understanding and application of cyclotides, making them a promising area of research in peptide-based drug discovery.
Key Contributions of Dr. Camarero to Cyclotide Research:
1. Chemical Synthesis of Cyclotides:
• Camarero has developed methods for the chemical synthesis of cyclotides, enabling the production of these peptides in the lab. This includes using native chemical ligation (NCL) and other peptide synthesis techniques to create cyclotides with specific modifications.
2. Engineering Cyclotides for Drug Design:
• His work has focused on modifying cyclotides to enhance their therapeutic potential. Cyclotides have been engineered to target specific proteins or pathways, making them promising candidates for drug development. This includes modifying cyclotides to improve their therapeutic potential against cancer and infectious diseases.
3. Understanding Cyclotide Folding and Stability:
• Dr. Camarero has studied the unique structural features of cyclotides, such as their cyclic backbone and disulfide bonds, which contribute to their exceptional stability. This research has provided insights into how cyclotides can be used in biomedical applications.
4. Applications in Biotechnology and Medicine:
• His research has explored the use of cyclotides in various applications, including as antimicrobial agents (specifically against multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens), anticancer-targeted therapeutics (CXCR4, p53, and RAS/RAF pathways), and drug delivery systems primarily to access the Central Nervous System (CNS).
