Preclinical Evaluation of a Novel Theranostic MET-directed Variable New Antigen Receptor (VNAR) Single-domain Antibody in MET-altered Lung Cancer

Awarded in 2024
Updated Aug 27, 2025

At a Glance

This project aims to develop a novel treatment for non-small cell lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer death in the United States and Wisconsin, by using a unique shark-derived antibody. The goal is to improve treatment outcomes for patients who have an abnormal MET protein and a generally worse prognosis. Researchers will focus on creating a highly targeted therapy that combines radiation with this specialized antibody to attack cancer cells more effectively.

Collaborators: Randall Kimple, MD, PhD, associate professor, Department of Human Oncology; Nina Zitzer, DVM, PhD, DACVP, assistant professor, Department of Pathobiological Sciences, UW School of Veterinary Medicine

research icon: microscope and stethoscope
Collaborative Health Sciences Program

Piloting Badger-Seq: A Revolutionary Paradigm for the Genomic Diagnosis of Critically Ill Newborns


Awarded in 2024
Infants born with a rare genetic disorder or birth defect experience high acuity, prolonged hospital stays and a lifetime of health challenges. Molecular diagnosis is key to caring for these infants, and speed is critical. This multidisciplinary team of researchers will use an approach to screening using artificial intelligence and a revolutionary genome sequencing platform to bring state-of-the-art ultra-rapid genome sequencing to infants in hospitals across Wisconsin. Collaborators: April Hall, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Pediatrics, UW–Madison; Vanessa Horner, PhD, associate professor, Department of Pediatrics, UW–Madison; Kim Keppler-Noreuil, MD, professor, Department of Pediatrics, UW–Madison; Irene Ong, PhD, associate professor; Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, UW–Madison; Xiangqiang Shao, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Pediatrics, UW–Madison; Bryn Webb, MD, associate professor, Department of Pediatrics, UW–Madison; Krishna Acharya, MBBS, associate professor, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin; Ulrich Broeckel, MD, professor, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin; Jessica Scott-Schwoerer, MD, associate professor, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin; Mark Yandell, PhD, professor, Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah