The Biochemistry Research Area of the Department is concerned with the expression, purification, and characterization of proteins, with particular reference to proteins of pharmaceutical interest. The group particularly uses spectroscopic techniques (UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, fast kinetics techniques, fluorescence spectroscopy, microspectrophotometry, NMR, circular dichroism). It is also involved in the characterization of tissues by proteomics techniques (two-dimensional electrophoresis, mass spectrometry, immunochemical techniques).
The main Lines of Research currently active are:
- Characterization of the enzyme serine racemase, responsible for the synthesis of the neurotransmitter D-serine, with the aim of characterizing its conformational space and interactome complex.
- Characterization of the cysteine synthase complex, development of inhibitors with potential antibiotic activity, and interaction of O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase with bacterial toxins.
- Characterization of covalent inhibitors of the enzyme glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, a possible drug target in the treatment of neoplasms and infections.
- Formulation of chemically and genetically engineered methionine gamma-lyase for anticancer and antibacterial therapeutic approaches.
- Characterization of hemoproteins and their oxygen-binding properties of CO and NO, including for the purpose of obtaining biotechnological products.
- Evaluation, by proteomics techniques, of oxidative stress induced by administration in Cavia porcellus of blood substitutes endowed with different oxygen-binding properties.
- Expression of alpha-1-antitrypsin protein, its chemical modification and formulation in order to obtain a recombinant product for emphysema therapy.
- Evaluation of the stabilizing activity of naturally occurring and synthetic compounds against amyloidogenic proteins.
- Identification and characterization of bacterial toxin-antitoxin systems.
- Purification, expression in recombinant form, and functional characterization of allergenic proteins.
- Proteomic analysis of meat and plant compounds for process control and adulteration.
- Mitochondrial activity under physiological, pathological conditions and in aging: production of reactive oxygen species, supramolecular organization of the respiratory chain. (In collaboration with the University of Bologna)
For more information:
- Prof. Stefano Bruno
- Prof. Barbara Campanini
- Prof. Anna Falasca
- Prof. Claudia Folli
- Prof. Andrea Mozzarelli
