TGen appoints John Fryer, Ph.D., to faculty, further accelerating research innovation in Alzheimer’s, cancer, and other complex diseases
Fryer to serve as professor in the Division of Bioinnovation and Genome Sciences and director of the Center for Accelerated Nanotherapeutics
The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), part of City of Hope, has announced the appointment of John Fryer, Ph.D., as a professor in the Division of Bioinnovation and Genome Sciences and director of the newly established Center for Accelerated Nanotherapeutics. Dr. Fryer, an internationally recognized leader in the study of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, joins TGen from Mayo Clinic, where he held multiple leadership roles, including professor in the Department of Neuroscience, associate dean of the Graduate School, director of the M.D./Ph.D. Program, Director of the Rodent Behavioral Facility, and Director of the Natural Microbial Facility. The appointment further advances TGen’s mission to accelerate leading-edge research in the fight against Alzheimer’s and other devastating diseases.
Dr. Fryer is renowned for his pioneering research in neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s, Lewy body dementia, Parkinson’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and inherited ataxias. He has also made significant contributions to studies on sepsis, brain tumors, and mood disorders, including research into psilocybin and other psychoplastogens (substances that can promote significant changes in the brain’s structure and function, particularly in how it processes information).
Dr. Fryer’s lab also specializes in cutting-edge “nanobody” technology—tiny antibodies derived from animals like camels, llamas, and sharks. These specialized nanobodies have unique properties that enable them to bind to specific targets with high precision, penetrate tissues more effectively than conventional antibodies, and provide therapeutic benefits. He is using these nanobodies to target and address the pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer’s, such as plaques and tangles, that disrupt normal brain function. Additionally, nanobodies and similar tiny antibodies are showing great promise for the treatment of many cancers and are critical for the development of therapies such as T cells engineered with chimeric antigen receptors (CAR T).
“I’m excited to join this dynamic team of researchers. I believe we can make substantial progress in bringing improved therapies to patients facing some of the most challenging neurological diseases of our time,” said Dr. Fryer. “Our work with nanobodies offers the possibility of a breakthrough in treating diseases that have long been difficult to address, particularly Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative conditions.”
Dr. Fryer will also establish the TGen Center for Accelerated Nanotherapeutics that will focus on advancing the use of nanobody technology, building on his work along with new collaborations with City of Hope researchers and clinicians. The center aims to accelerate the development of nanobodies targeting the brain and other disease organs.
“The integration of nanobody technology into clinical research is poised to revolutionize how we approach not only neurological diseases but also a wide range of conditions,” said TGen President and Research Director, Jeffrey Trent, Ph.D., F.A.C.M.G.G. “Dr. Fryer’s expertise and vision will play a critical role in advancing these efforts.”
Dr. Fryer received his Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from the University of Arizona and his Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Washington University in St. Louis. He completed his postdoctoral training in genetics at Baylor College of Medicine.
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