Synthesis of Therapeutically Active Biomolecules
In the DF are active several research groups that work on the design and synthesis of peptides and peptido-mimetics as:
- receptors binding candidates,
- antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antiviral agents,
- in diagnostic and nanomedicine applications.
Several research groups work on the synthesis of nucleic and peptido-nucleic acids to obtain therapeutically active aptamers, bioprobes or novel biopolymers.
Research groups
- Modilabs: Peptides and Peptidomimetics
- PS-MEDCHEM
Research Team:
- MIMALUVA
- SynBioLab
Design and synthesis of variously modified nucleic and peptide-nucleic acids. Variously modified DNA and PNA are realized as potential aptamers, as functional bioprobes, nano materials and as building blocks for the construction of new polymeric biomaterials.
- HybridBioSystems
The research activities of the HybridBioSystems group are focused on the design and implementation of organic/inorganic hybrid systems for diagnostic purposes and targeted delivery of drugs. Hybrid devices are obtained from nanostructured inorganic materials due to precise chemical functionalization and bio-engineering processes with small organic molecules or modified nucleosides. The systems design aims to obtain portable diagnostic devices (POCs) or the development of novel nanocarriers for the targeted release of drugs.
Research Team:
- PepNanoMed
- Development of theranostic selective targets based on bioactive peptides. Labeled peptides for application in nuclear medicine and MRI. Development of nanodevices with antibacterial and antiviral properties. Synthesis and structural characterization of nanostructures functionalized with peptides.
- Studies of biomolecular interactions through NMR and computational methodologies
- Characterization of peptides for intracellular transport and their use for the development of nanocarriers and nanosystems active in drug delivery and theranostic compounds.
- Intrinsically disordered peptides
- Design, synthesis and characterization of PNA and modified PNA for targeting and imaging of RNA/DNA
- Identification of new peptide-based compounds as inhibitors of protein-protein through the screening of libraries and biochemical and biophysical characterization of protein-protein interactions through spectroscopic techniques.
- APTACAT G4
- Design, synthesis and study of the chemical-physical and biological properties of aptamers and analogues forming G-quadruplex structures with anticoagulant, antiproliferative or antiviral activity.
- Design, synthesis and study of the chemical-physical properties of G-quadruplex structures with catalytic activity aimed at the development of biosensors.
- Design and synthesis of RNA analogues for the regulation and study of miRNAs involved in medulloblastoma and multiple myeloma.