Project Background
A biotechnology company was investigating the transcription factor c-Myc, a DNA-binding protein with strong disease relevance but limited tractability in conventional ligand discovery. The client wanted to explore whether an oligonucleotide-guided degradation strategy could provide a more effective route for target engagement and degradation validation.
Our Support
We first assessed c-Myc's DNA recognition behavior, protein function, and the feasibility of sequence-guided degrader design. Based on this analysis, we proposed an oligonucleotide PROTAC architecture consisting of a c-Myc-binding double-stranded DNA motif, a flexible linker, and an E3 ligase-recruiting ligand. We then designed multiple candidate constructs with different oligonucleotide motifs, conjugation positions, and degradation-recruiting modules. After screening and iterative optimization, we generated 16 constructs and identified 3 with reproducible target reduction in cell-based assays. Among them, the top candidate showed clear dose dependence, better degradation consistency, and a more favorable signal window than the initial construct series, giving the client a practical foundation for further optimization.
Client Testimonial
BOC Sciences helped us convert a difficult target concept into a workable degradation strategy. Their support in feasibility analysis, construct design, and assay validation gave us a much clearer path forward.
Project Background
An academic research team needed a light-responsive degrader tool to study the time-dependent function of STAT3, a signaling protein involved in rapid cellular response pathways. The main challenge was achieving controllable degradation activation while maintaining measurable degradation performance and experimental interpretability.
Our Support
We designed a light-controllable PROTAC workflow and prioritized a photocaged architecture combining a STAT3-binding warhead, an E3 ligase ligand, and a light-cleavable caging group that suppressed activity before irradiation. The project included degrader design, synthesis of a focused candidate set, optimization of 365 nm LED irradiation at 5 mW/cm² for 60 seconds, and validation in cell-based degradation assays. We prepared 12 candidate molecules and identified 2 leads that showed low background activity in the dark, with an activation threshold defined as >50% STAT3 degradation after light exposure but<15% in dark controls. This enabled the client to establish a more precise time-resolved degradation study system for downstream biological investigation.
Client Testimonial
The BOC Sciences team provided exactly the kind of technical depth we needed for a specialized degrader tool project. Their ability to connect design logic with practical validation was especially valuable.
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