The Structural Biology and Biophysics group provides biophysical and structural information of biological phenomena guided by folding, aggregation, and interaction of proteins with the ultimate goal of understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying serious pathologies. The group is also engaged in small molecules-based drug discovery, and development of protein-based therapeutics with particular emphasis on therapeutic antibodies.

The main focus of the research activities of the group is on neurodegenerative diseases. Neurodegeneration is an increasing threat of our increasingly aging modern society. Current treatments are in the best-case palliative and non-specific, reflecting the fact that the detailed understanding of most of these diseases is still lacking. Our research aims at understanding the molecular mechanisms of protein misfolding and aggregation behind neurodegenerative diseases, and relies on the concept that knowledge of the normal function and of the interaction network of aggregating proteins is a key tool to design molecules which can specifically compete out pathological aggregation. Native protein-protein interactions could indeed provide important means of altering and controlling the function and assembly of proteins involved in neurodegenerative diseases, and could fulfil a protective role against aberrant aggregation.

In parallel, the group is engaged in the structural and biophysical characterization of Mussel Foot adhesive proteins, which, similarly to proteins involved in neurodegenerative diseases, undergo to phase transition and form stable protein aggregates. The final aim of this research project is the developing bioadhesives able to work in wet environment. In the last years, there is a growing interest focusing on the development of novel naturally-derived glues in several areas of clinical applications such as tissue engineering, implantation of medical devices and wound closure. The big challenge in developing new bio-adhesive molecules is to find molecules able to work in wet and hostile environment and capable of making tissues adhere together in an efficient way in those conditions. Proteins from sessile animals with adhesive properties in water, could overcome these difficulties.

Team