Jim Van Deventer
@vandeventerjim.bsky.social
Chemical and Biological Engineering, Tufts University. Antibody engineering with expanded genetic codes, enhancing genetic code expansion in yeast, and more.
We also found that, among other things, we could combine mutations in eRF1 with gene deletions known to enhance ncAA incorporation and get further enhancements from the combined effects (9/n).
September 11, 2025 at 1:42 PM
We also found that, among other things, we could combine mutations in eRF1 with gene deletions known to enhance ncAA incorporation and get further enhancements from the combined effects (9/n).
Some individual amino acid mutations we found have strong effects on their own, some do not. But we also identified individual clones encoding multiple mutations that exhibit stronger effects on ncAA incorporation than the individual mutations in this clones (8/n).
September 11, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Some individual amino acid mutations we found have strong effects on their own, some do not. But we also identified individual clones encoding multiple mutations that exhibit stronger effects on ncAA incorporation than the individual mutations in this clones (8/n).
We subjected the gene encoding eRF1 to random mutagenesis and conducted a series of screens to enriched for variants exhibiting the phenotype of enhanced ncAA incorporation. Select deep sequencing analysis is shown here. Lots of unexpected discoveries are in these data (6/n)!
September 11, 2025 at 1:36 PM
We subjected the gene encoding eRF1 to random mutagenesis and conducted a series of screens to enriched for variants exhibiting the phenotype of enhanced ncAA incorporation. Select deep sequencing analysis is shown here. Lots of unexpected discoveries are in these data (6/n)!
but as far as we’re aware, higher throughput mutagenesis and screens for eRF1 variants that improve ncAA incorporation have never been reported. So we started by making a simple system where eRF1 variants could be coexpressed in cells expressing WT eRF1 (4/n).
September 11, 2025 at 1:32 PM
but as far as we’re aware, higher throughput mutagenesis and screens for eRF1 variants that improve ncAA incorporation have never been reported. So we started by making a simple system where eRF1 variants could be coexpressed in cells expressing WT eRF1 (4/n).
Also, a bit quirky. Lots of sudden transitions between the modern (growing pharma/biotech hub, great universities + art scene) and not-so-modern (castles in the middle of busy intersections?!?). And some things must definitely sound better in languages other than English... (2/2).
September 10, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Also, a bit quirky. Lots of sudden transitions between the modern (growing pharma/biotech hub, great universities + art scene) and not-so-modern (castles in the middle of busy intersections?!?). And some things must definitely sound better in languages other than English... (2/2).
Today, I'm grateful for a quick trip I made to Basel in May while I was in France. I was able to visit Michael Nash's lab at Uni Basel and give a joint seminar for Uni Basel and ETH. It was a crazy trip involving a bus-to-bus-to-train-to-train set of connections. Beautiful city (1/2).
September 10, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Today, I'm grateful for a quick trip I made to Basel in May while I was in France. I was able to visit Michael Nash's lab at Uni Basel and give a joint seminar for Uni Basel and ETH. It was a crazy trip involving a bus-to-bus-to-train-to-train set of connections. Beautiful city (1/2).
Today, I'm grateful for one last camping trip this season with a group of friends. An excellent escape (but could have done without the raging afternoon thunderstorm).
Picture from @allisonvandev.bsky.social
Picture from @allisonvandev.bsky.social
September 8, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Today, I'm grateful for one last camping trip this season with a group of friends. An excellent escape (but could have done without the raging afternoon thunderstorm).
Picture from @allisonvandev.bsky.social
Picture from @allisonvandev.bsky.social
Today, I'm grateful for my Chemical and Biological Engineering faculty colleague Matt Panzer. Matt has refined the labs for the Tufts Coffee Engineering course beautifully, making it possible for me to hit the ground running as I teach the course for the first time (1/2).
September 4, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Today, I'm grateful for my Chemical and Biological Engineering faculty colleague Matt Panzer. Matt has refined the labs for the Tufts Coffee Engineering course beautifully, making it possible for me to hit the ground running as I teach the course for the first time (1/2).
Another look back at Van Deventer adventures in France: the Tufts in Talloires program went to Chamonix, France, in late May and lucked out with TREMENDOUS weather. On this trip, I hiked and walked in the area and enjoyed great views from pretty much every location I visited!
August 12, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Another look back at Van Deventer adventures in France: the Tufts in Talloires program went to Chamonix, France, in late May and lucked out with TREMENDOUS weather. On this trip, I hiked and walked in the area and enjoyed great views from pretty much every location I visited!
Next installment of Van Deventer European adventure: Talloires, France, is incredible. Located on Lac d'Annecy, there are beautiful view in every direction, and it's incredibly easy to take good pictures (even for a terrible photographer like me!).
August 5, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Next installment of Van Deventer European adventure: Talloires, France, is incredible. Located on Lac d'Annecy, there are beautiful view in every direction, and it's incredibly easy to take good pictures (even for a terrible photographer like me!).
Friends, we had an incredible experience earlier this summer. I taught a course in Talloires, France, for Tufts. This gave @allisonvandev.bsky.social, our kids, and me the opportunity to have all kinds of adventures in Europe. More pictures and reflections in the coming weeks.
July 29, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Friends, we had an incredible experience earlier this summer. I taught a course in Talloires, France, for Tufts. This gave @allisonvandev.bsky.social, our kids, and me the opportunity to have all kinds of adventures in Europe. More pictures and reflections in the coming weeks.
The most important thing that my family will do today: Donating extra money to La Colaborativa, a Boston-area nonprofit that advocates for marginalized people in Chelsea and beyond. The residents of Chelsea are worthy of our unwavering support!
March 19, 2025 at 1:02 PM
The most important thing that my family will do today: Donating extra money to La Colaborativa, a Boston-area nonprofit that advocates for marginalized people in Chelsea and beyond. The residents of Chelsea are worthy of our unwavering support!
I'll be presenting some of the Van Deventer Lab's chemically expanded antibody engineering work at #PEGSummit in Boston on May 12.
What can added chemistry do for antibody discovery and engineering? Our data suggests that there are many productive directions.
What can added chemistry do for antibody discovery and engineering? Our data suggests that there are many productive directions.
February 28, 2025 at 2:46 PM
I'll be presenting some of the Van Deventer Lab's chemically expanded antibody engineering work at #PEGSummit in Boston on May 12.
What can added chemistry do for antibody discovery and engineering? Our data suggests that there are many productive directions.
What can added chemistry do for antibody discovery and engineering? Our data suggests that there are many productive directions.
Seen on my walk this morning:
February 11, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Seen on my walk this morning:
It's heartbreaking to hear about the devastating actions being taken against USAID. So many vulnerable people around the globe are being affected, and also people's careers are being ripped to shreds in a matter of days. Post from my friend A.J. (Ashok) Kumar.
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
February 3, 2025 at 2:12 PM
It's heartbreaking to hear about the devastating actions being taken against USAID. So many vulnerable people around the globe are being affected, and also people's careers are being ripped to shreds in a matter of days. Post from my friend A.J. (Ashok) Kumar.
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
Ah yes, time to pack up my things and leave for the day! THAT's what it was. The move to the exercise bag and pointed stares clinched it (3/3).
January 29, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Ah yes, time to pack up my things and leave for the day! THAT's what it was. The move to the exercise bag and pointed stares clinched it (3/3).
Then, they executed their obstructionist plan, blocking my laptop screen. I think they were trying to tell me something... (2/3)
January 29, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Then, they executed their obstructionist plan, blocking my laptop screen. I think they were trying to tell me something... (2/3)
Timeline cleanse! Some of my kid's stuffies came to work with me yesterday (4 penguin and 1 honorary penguin (actually an owl)). Late in the day they had an ominous looking conference... (1/3)
January 29, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Timeline cleanse! Some of my kid's stuffies came to work with me yesterday (4 penguin and 1 honorary penguin (actually an owl)). Late in the day they had an ominous looking conference... (1/3)
Colleagues and friends, the times are chaotic and uncertain right now in the US, in academia, and in the world. As a tenured professor, I'm asking myself how I can be the best steward possible of all of the amazing privileges I have. This starts with the members of my research group. (1/n)
January 24, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Colleagues and friends, the times are chaotic and uncertain right now in the US, in academia, and in the world. As a tenured professor, I'm asking myself how I can be the best steward possible of all of the amazing privileges I have. This starts with the members of my research group. (1/n)
Great news: the Van Deventer Lab has received supplemental funding to further advance chemically expanded antibody engineering and its applications! We are purchasing a new analytical flow cytometer. Thank you, NIH!
September 25, 2024 at 2:53 PM
Great news: the Van Deventer Lab has received supplemental funding to further advance chemically expanded antibody engineering and its applications! We are purchasing a new analytical flow cytometer. Thank you, NIH!
I am overjoyed to announce that I have secured tenure and promotion! Many people made this possible. My research group learned to thrive during the pandemic, my family was relentlessly supportive, and many others propelled me onward…there is a lot to be thankful for!
June 6, 2024 at 2:01 PM
I am overjoyed to announce that I have secured tenure and promotion! Many people made this possible. My research group learned to thrive during the pandemic, my family was relentlessly supportive, and many others propelled me onward…there is a lot to be thankful for!