What we do.

We use directed evolution, cellular engineering, and robotics to expand the “druggable” space of genetically and epigenetically mis-regulated diseases.

Within synthetic biology, there is enormous potential to converge the seemingly discrete fields of molecular evolution, epigenetics, and cancer. However, methods to combine these fields are limited by the inability to assess the complexities of protein evolution, population heterogeneity, and gene regulation simultaneously. The Chory lab combines directed evolution, epigenome engineering, and robotics to engineer new proteins, biological tools, and cellular therapies with both translational and basic science potential.

How we do it.

What is Directed Evolution?

Directed evolution is recreating the processes of mutation, selection, and replication in the lab. We use directed evolution to create new proteins with therapeutic value, and study how evolution gives rise to phenotypes that confer human diseases.

How do we engineer proteins and cells?

We used phage-based evolution to engineer new proteins. When coupled with novel automation platforms, we can rapidly evolve both proteins with Phage-and-Robotics-Assisted Near Continuous Evolution (PRANCE), and we can use open-source automation (PyHamilton) to engineer new cellular therapies.

What do we specialize in?

What we’re working on.

​​Cancer encompasses a molecularly complex class of diseases, which resulted in 20 million new cases and over 10 million fatalities in 2020. Cancerous cells arises when a mutated cell gains a Darwinian fitness advantage over its healthy counterparts. From developing new protein therapeutics to studying population heterogeneity in patient populations, we use evolution to develop new biologic tools for the therapeutic targeting, characterization, and eradication of cancer.

If you’re interested in any of the following projects, we would love to have you join us!