Programme Coordinator
Bohdan Schneider, Ph.D. (CV pdf)
email:
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Structural Biology and Protein Engineering
Programme Description
This programme is focused on research of novel biotechnologically, diagnostically, and medically important biomolecules, proteins and nucleic acids that will be constructed using state-of-the-art methods of molecular biology and protein engineering. Structures and properties of the studied molecules will be analysed by complex biophysical methods, such as advanced mass spectrometry, and crystallography. Understanding structures of the studied molecules and their mutual interactions will help us to modify them so that their desired biological activities improve so that they can be used for diagnostics of diseases, as drugs or as advanced materials.
Research Outcomes
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Newly determined 3D structures and biophysical properties of studied proteins and description of their structure-activity relationships
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Design and preparation of novel proteins developed to specifically bind to biotechnologically, diagnostically, and/or medically important molecules
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Modifications of the studied enzymes leading to their improved function, e.g. increased temperature stability or enzymatic efficiency
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Expertise in the research of biological drugs (biologics)
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Development of novel mass spectrometry methods, application of these methods to determination of structural and topological properties of biomolecular systems
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Explanation of the specificity of protein/DNA interactions at atomic and submolecular scale and modifications of protein and/or DNA molecules influencing specificity of their interaction
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Bioinformatic tools and expertise to analyse sequential and structural features of the studied biomolecules
Application potential
The programme opens wide possibilities for commercial outputs. For instance, newly developed recombinant proteins with high binding affinity to other biomolecules can function as novel drugs against autoimmune diseases, viral infections or cancer or they can serve as agents to diagnose these diseases. Natural compounds will be modified with the goal to improve their antibiotic activity. Structural studies of enzymes will help increase efficiency of waste water treatment, support development of materials for green energy as biological cells, or of biotechnological treatment of food. A part of the programme focused on the development of robust and sensitive methods for mass spectrometric characterization of structural and topological properties of proteins will enable fast characterization and validation of generic biologics, biosimilars.
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