Welcome!
Computational protein design refers to the implementation of the physical forces and interactions that govern protein behavior into computational algorithms and models, which can then be used to predictably design new proteins with a desired structure and function. In recent years, this has enabled the development of highly stable "miniproteins" which do not exist in nature, capable of targeting tumor antigens. Our ultimate goal is to advance this field translationally, enabling a new paradigm for cancer immunotherapy that is safer and more efficacious than traditional therapies.
Publications
Featured Publication
Silva DA, Yu S, Ulge UY, Spangler JB, Jude KM, Labão-Almeida C, Ali LR, Quijano-Rubio A, Ruterbusch M, Leung I, Biary T, Crowley SJ, Marcos E, Walkey CD, Weitzner BD, Pardo-Avila F, Castellanos J, Carter L, Stewart L, Riddell SR, Pepper M, Bernardes GJL, Dougan M, Garcia KC, Baker D. De Novo Design of Potent and Selective Interleukin Mimetics. Nature. 2019;565(7738):186-191.
All Publications
Recent Publications
- Kinjo T, Yu S, Nicely N, Leaver-Fay A, Kim WY, Kuhlman B. Computational design of orthogonal TCR α/β interfaces for dual-TCR therapeutics. bioRxiv. Preprint posted online January 2, 2026:2026.01.02.697397.
- Jensen JL, Peterson SK, Sambaje MJ, Alley JR, Yu S, Kinjo T, Bennett SN, Vensko SP, Shrabrag M, DeBetta JD, Geyer JK, Price BA, Nickel KP, Kimple RJ, Kotecha RS, Herring LE, Davis IJ, Wang JR, French CA, Kuhlman B, Weiss J, Rubinstein A, Vincent BG. Shared PRAME epitopes are T-cell targets in NUT carcinoma. J Immunother Cancer. 2026;14(2).
Lab News
Summer 2026: Dr. Shawn Yu has joined the Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Blood & Marrow Transplantation at the University of Iowa! We are officially establishing our research program.
We are recruiting our founding lab members, with openings across postdoctoral, graduate student, and research technician roles. Early projects focus on designing new proteins computationally and then experimentally validating that they behave biochemically as intended; cell-based and translational work follow.
We are particularly interested in people with hands-on experience in recombinant protein expression, purification, and biophysical characterization, along with mammalian cell culture. Experience with computational design is welcome but not required, and can be learned here. If that sounds like you, get in touch at shawn-yu@uiowa.edu with your CV and a short description of what you want to work on!
Awards and Funding
Prior early career awards:
- ASCO Young Investigator Award
- American Cancer Society Postdoctoral Fellowship