Dr Justin Tosh

Justin is a postdoctoral researcher in the Hogenhout’s group, working at the intersection of molecular biology, synthetic biology, and targeted protein degradation (TPD).

His research focuses on developing novel therapeutic strategies that hijack the cell’s own degradation machinery in unconventional ways. Currently, Justin is developing SAP-ERASER — a ubiquitin-independent degradation platform inspired by the phytoplasma effector protein SAP05. This system enables direct targeting of proteins to the proteasome without relying on the cell’s ubiquitin system, opening new possibilities for degrading previously “undruggable” targets.

Targeted protein degradation holds immense promise for medicine. Unlike traditional inhibitors that merely block protein activity, TPD can eliminate disease-causing proteins entirely — including those that lack enzymatic activity or that function through scaffolding or transcriptional regulation. This opens new therapeutic avenues for cancer, neurodegeneration, and genetic disorders, where conventional drugs often fail.

Justin is also passionate about mentorship and helping early-career scientists build experience in cutting-edge research, particularly through hands-on projects that bridge basic science and therapeutic innovation.