Topic: The group is actively engaged in research concerning protein structure, protein folding and misfolding by using biochemical and biophysical technologies.

Researchers: Laura Acquasaliente; Vincenzo De Filippis; Patrizia Polverino De Laureto; Barbara Spolaore; Marisa Brini

Current research interests:

• Structure and function of coagulation factors
• Role of bacterial proteases in thrombosis and amyloidosis
• Structure-stability-function relationships in therapeutic proteins
• Implementation of the hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry techniques
• Interaction between proteins and lipids by means of biochemical and biophysical techniques
• Process of amyloid aggregation of alpha-synuclein with the aim of clarifying at the molecular level the mechanism of aggregation and the role of this protein in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease
• Parkinson disease-related proteins (alpha-synuclein, DJ-1, parkin and PINK1) in cell signaling, calcium homeostasis, mitochondrial function and ER/mitochondria interactions
• Development of recombinant tools based on splitGFP to monitor organelles contact sites and sub-mitochondrial distribution of proteins of interest

	Biochemistry The group of Biochemistry is actively engaged in research concerning protein structure, protein folding and misfolding by using biochemical and biophysical technologies.

  read more

Of particular interest is the expertise of the group members in mass spectrometry and proteomics technologies. The main topics are the analysis of the aggregation and amyloidogenic states of proteins involved in neurodegeneration, especially Parkinson disease; the study of the structure and function of coagulation factors; the study of the effects of oxidative stress in cardiovascular diseases.