Experimental lab
We are interested in the structural characterization of macromolecular complexes with various biological functions. In order to do this, we express and purify recombinant proteins and study their 3-D structure using X-ray crystallography, NMR and cryoEM. We also characterize them biophysically using CD, MALS, MS and Mass Photometry. Complexes (either with other proteins, nucleic acids, peptides, or small molecules) are studied using EMSA, ITC, SPR and fluorescent polarization. Our experimental results are fully integrated with the computational results and tools developed in the computational part of the LBM.
Expanding the spectrum of pore-forming toxins that can be used for nanopore sequencing.
Understanding the role of oligomerization in RNA DEAD-box helicase function.
Investigating the critical amino acids differentiating POU5F1B from its parent OCT4.
Investigating the peptide binding site in human GOLPH3 to be used as a pocket targeted by drug-like small molecules.
Deciphering the substrate identity and catalytic mode of human PREPL.
Team
Edoardo Cavani ??, Maria Jose Marcaida ??, Patrick Samaha ??, Jana Dulovic ??, Anastasia Theodoropoulou ??, Jana Anton ??
Maria Jose Marcaida ??
I obtained my PhD in Cambridge (Department of Biochemistry) working on X-ray crystallography of protein-nucleic acid complexes. I joined the LBM in 2014, opening the experimental laboratory. I am interested in the structural and biophysical characterization of macromolecular complexes of various kinds, particularly in how oligomerisation and conformational dynamics affect their catalytic activity and function.
Patrick Samaha ??
I am currently an undergraduate student majoring in Engineering Science with a specialization in bioengineering at the University of Toronto. I have developed a deep interest in working at the intersection of biology and engineering and I am working on developing my skills and expertise as a summer intern at LBM.
Jana Dulovic ????
I am currently an undergraduate student majoring in Biology at Springfield College. I am also an intern in EPFL’s summer research program, and my project focuses on the effect of dimerization in the ATPase activity of DDX21. My interests involve astrobiology, DNA sequencing, and neuroscience; as well as volleyball, fashion and activism.
Anastasia Theodoropoulou ??
I obtained my Master’s Degree in Chemical Engineering at the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA). Since 2020, I am a PhD student in the LBM working on the biophysical characterization of proteins involved in cancer pathology. I am interested in structural biology and solving the structure of macromolecular complexes.
Edoardo Cavani ??
I’m a master student in Medical Biotechnology at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. I joined the research group for an internship to prepare my thesis. I’m interested in structural biology and biomolecular interactions, and I’m currently working on the PREPL project
Jana Anton ??
I obtained my Master’s degree in Biomolecular Engineering at the Technical University of Darmstadt in 2022. Since then, I am an intern in the LBM, but I will start my PhD soon. I am interested in structural biology, especially of membrane proteins. Therefore, I am very curios about studying the structure of nanopores in membrane mimics.