ITALY
Giuseppe Manco
Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Biomedical Science Department, National
Research Council, Italy
INPEC node since 2019
My main research line is the study of the structure-function relationship in enzymes from the viewpoint of understanding the determinants that underlay (thermal)stability and the molecular processes which control the substrate recognition, enzyme inhibition and enzyme catalysis. The tasks are approached mainly by studying enzymes from (hyper)thermophilic sources, mainly from Archaea and are also performed by comparison with mesophilic, homologous counterparts, which allow tracing back evolution of enzyme activity by looking at sequence/structure hallmarks and promiscuous activities.
Furthermore, the potential uses of these enzymes in the industry, for the environment and for human health are investigated. Recently focus has been made on some human proteins (PON2, Pyruvate dehydrogenase complex) and their role in many diseases (cancer, type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis and related complications).
Keywords: enzymes, thermostability, structure-function relationship, protein engineering, hydrolases, pesticides, biosensors, decontamination, post-translational modifications, diseases.
Adele Di Matteo
Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council of Italy
INPEC node since 2019
My research interests focus on the structural and functional characterization of proteins involved in biologically and medically relevant processes, with particular emphasis on protein structure–function relationships, molecular recognition and protein–protein interactions. A major research line is devoted to the identification and characterization of potential antibacterial targets in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, including proteins involved in cytochrome c biogenesis, sulfur metabolism and bacterial virulence, with the long-term aim of supporting structure-based antibacterial drug discovery. My research also encompasses the study of proteins involved in plant signaling and plant–pathogen interactions, as well as proteins associated with human disease.
Keywords: structural biology; biochemistry; biophysics; protein structure–function relationships; protein–protein interactions; antibacterial target discovery; plant–pathogen interactions; structure-based drug discovery.
Giovanna Musco
IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele-Milano
INPEC node since 2024
I head the Biomolecular NMR Unit at San Raffaele Hospital, Milan. We study disease-related proteins using biomolecular NMR spectroscopy integrated with biochemical, biophysical, and computational methods to define their structure, dynamics, function, and interactions, informing mechanisms of disease and therapeutic development.
Keywords: biomolecular NMR; protein-ligand interactions; structural biology; structure/function activity of proteins; human diseases; genetic diseases; cancer; metabolomics.