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Sunil Thomas, PhD

Research Faculty
Research Professor

Dr. Thomas specializes in translational research, which applies scientific findings to medical practice. Dr. Thomas modeled the membrane protein of SARS-CoV-2 and showed that it functions as a sugar transporter. He also mapped the non-structural proteins and accessory proteins of SARS-CoV-2. He created a groundbreaking resource for scientists seeking to develop new and better outcomes in the fight against COVID-19 called the COVID-19 Genetic Resource Guide—the world’s first compendium of the genetic code and protein structure of SARS-CoV-2. During his career in immunology, he has developed vaccines, immunotherapies and diagnostic techniques and has been awarded several patents for his groundbreaking work. He developed the Eastern blotting technique to detect protein post-translational modifications. He has also contributed to cell biology: described fougaro system in cells, anigma in the muscularis of the colon and peinosis of the colon when on a high fat high protein diet. He is the editor of several books, including a popular two-volume set called Vaccine Design: Methods and Protocols (2016). A fully rewritten and supplemented second edition, consisting of three volumes, was published in 2022.

APPOINTMENTS

2022–Present: Research Professor, Lankenau Institute for Medical Research (LIMR)
2021: Research Associate Professor, LIMR
2012–2021: Research Assistant Professor, LIMR
2015–Present: Editor, Vaccine Design: Methods and Protocols (Springer-Nature)
2017: Visiting Professor, Temple University

Contact

thomass-02@mlhs.org
484.476.3507

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EDUCATION, AWARDS & MEMBERSHIPS

Education

BSc, Botany

Kerala University

MSc, Biotechnology

Cochin University of Science and Technology

PhD, Environmental Biotechnology

Cochin University of Science and Technology

Postdoctoral Fellowship

Mount Sinai School of Medicine

Awards & Honors

HONORS, AWARDS, CITATIONS

1992–1994 – Cochin University Merit Scholarship
1996–1998 – Department of biotechnology, JRF
1998–2000 – Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (SRF)
2000–2001 – Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (IISc) (RA)
2001–2008 – Postdoctoral fellowship, Mount Sinai School of Medicine

Research Description

Background

Translational science is a discipline within biomedical and public health research that aims to improve the health of individuals and communities by translating findings from basic research studies into diagnostic tools, medicine, procedures and education.

Dr. Sunil Thomas specializes in translational science. With a strong and varied background in microbiology, immunology, molecular biology and cell biology, he has developed diagnostic tools and vaccines for disorders that afflict millions of people every year.

Gastrointestinal disorders

Dr. Thomas is investigating whether Bin1antibody could provide protection against colitis. It has been demonstrated that Bin1 is a genetic modifier of experimental colitis that controls the paracellular pathway of transcellular ion transport regulated by cellular tight junctions. Dr. Thomas has discovered that Bin1 antibody can exert drug-like properties in an animal model. He is part of a team that is in a Phase 1 clinical trial for a medication to treat colitis using an innovative immunotherapy technique.

Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease that afflicts primarily the elderly. Characterized by a progressive loss of memory and intellectual ability, AD affects more than 44 million people worldwide and is projected to increase to 135 million people by 2050. Unfortunately, there are no medications to prevent onset or to cure those living with the disease.

In recent years, the human gene Bin1 has emerged as one of the most important genes in affecting the incidence of sporadic AD. Dr. Thomas is part of a team that is exploring whether anti- Bin1antibody could act as a drug to treat AD.

Vaccines

Antibiotics and vaccines are the therapeutic strategies employed in the control and prevention of bacterial diseases. Abuse/misuse of antibiotics has resulted in the generation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Hence, there is a need to develop new therapeutic strategies in the control of bacterial infectious diseases.

Dr. Thomas modeled the membrane protein of SARS-CoV-2 and showed that it functions as a sugar transporter. He also mapped the non-structural proteins and accessory proteins of SARS-CoV-2. He created a groundbreaking resource for scientists seeking to develop new and better outcomes in the fight against COVID-19 called the COVID-19 Genetic Resource Guide—the world’s first compendium of the genetic code and protein structure of SARS-CoV-2.

Dr. Thomas has developed several subunit vaccines for the infectious disease ehrlichiosis, which is transmitted by ticks. He pioneered the concept of structure-based vaccines for the disease, and he holds four patents for the development of diagnostic approaches and vaccines for the illness. He has also developed the concept of using sonicated vaccines to protect against Ehrlichia infection.

Diagnostic tools

Dr. Thomas also has developed several diagnostic techniques. He was responsible for the development of molecular and immunological kits for the detection of sandal spike phytoplasma. He was the first to develop an ELISA kit to quantify lipid rafts in T cells, a technique is widely used today in immunology laboratories.

Dr. Thomas also pioneered the development of the Eastern Blotting technique to detect post-translational protein modifications. The technique paved the way for developing diagnostic probes for the detection of Ehrlichia, an intracellular bacterial pathogen in humans and animals. The probes developed were also used to elucidate the exit mechanism of Ehrlichia.

Additionally, he was part of a team that discovered the monoclonal antibody IDO (clone 4B7), which is currently being marketed as a diagnostic probe for immunohistology in basic cancer research.

Future directions

Looking ahead, Dr. Thomas is interested in developing immunotherapies for ulcerative colitis and Alzheimer’s disease, and he will be involved in development of vaccines for infectious diseases.

About his lab

Dr. Thomas’ lab focuses on the translational studies to develop immunotherapies for various diseases. Current interests include the development of Bin mAb for the protection of ulcerative colitis and Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Thomas also is interested in studying the uptake mechanism of antibodies into cells. Animal models will be used to study molecular and immunological underpinnings during immunotherapy.

Patents

Sunil Thomas, James Mullin, George C. Prendergast (2015). Methods and compositions for the treatment of diseases and disorders (US62/105,358).
Sunil Thomas and David H. Walker (2015). Methods for detecting Ehrlichia infection (US 9,151,755 B2).
Sunil Thomas (2014). In vitro biosimulator to induce pattern formation in non-adherent cells (US62/072,313).
Sunil Thomas and David H. Walker (2014). Vaccine to protect against Ehrlichia infection (US62/066,461).
Sunil Thomas and David H. Walker (2014).Compositions of and method of using heat shock protein peptides (US 8,685,406 B2).
Sunil Thomas and David H. Walker (2013). Diagnosis and treatment of ehrlichiosis (US 8,492,103 B2).

Products commercialized

IDO1 Monoclonal Antibody

Publications

Books

Rickettsiales. Thomas, S, ed. Springer; 2016.
Vaccine Design - Methods and Protocols: Volume 1: Vaccines for Human Diseases. Thomas, S, ed. Springer; 2016.
Vaccine Design - Methods and Protocols: Volume 2: Vaccines for Veterinary Diseases. Thomas, S, ed. Springer; 2016.
Vaccine Design - Methods and Protocols, 2nd Ed.: Volume 1: Vaccines for Human Diseases. Thomas, S, ed. Springer; 2022.
Vaccine Design - Methods and Protocols, 2nd Ed.: Volume 2: Vaccines for Veterinary Diseases. Thomas, S, ed. Springer; 2022.
Vaccine Design - Methods and Protocols, 2nd Ed.: Volume 3: Resources for Vaccine Development. Thomas, S, ed. Springer; 2022.

Journal articles

Books

Vaccine Design: Methods and Protocols. Volume 1. Vaccines for Human Diseases. (Editor: Sunil Thomas), (Series: Methods in Molecular Biology, Vol. 1403, Springer, New York), 1302 pp.

Vaccine Design: Methods and Protocols. Volume 2. Vaccines for Veterinary Diseases. (Editor: Sunil Thomas), (Series: Methods in Molecular Biology Series, Vol. 1404, Springer, New York), 1226 pp.

Rickettsiales: Biology, Epidemiology, Molecular Biology and Vaccine Development (Editor: Sunil Thomas). Springer, New York, pp. 529. (ISBN: 978-3-319-46857-0) (2017).