Proteomics and Protein

Description of Research Category

Proteins are essential for virtually every biological process that takes place in living creatures, from capture of solar energy and environmental sensing, to immune protection against pathogens and even cognitive function of the brain. Reflecting this wide range of functions, proteins display amazing complexity beyond their basic amino acid sequences, featuring highly variable 3D conformations and posttranslational modifications (PTMs) that radically alter both structure and function. Accordingly, disruption of normal protein folding, PTMs profiles, or degradation pathways can generate dysfunctional molecules that impair cellular activity, cause disease and may even become infectious agent. In the proteomics and protein chemistry research frame, we are working on several key research questions including; How do protein complexes concentrate carbon dioxide to improve the efficiency of photosynthesis? How do antibacterial peptides protect us against infectious diseases? How do protein phosphorylation events regulate cell signaling cascades? How does formation of brain protein aggregates lead to neurodegenerative disorders? We are also applying discovery-driven proteomic approaches to uncover novel mechanisms of disease in a range of other human pathologies that conventional methods have so far been unable to unravel.

Research Directory