Molecular Enzymology and Extremophiles
AREAS OF RESEARCH
Our studies are focused on the understanding of the structure/function relationship of protein and enzymes and on the mechanism of the enzymatic hydrolysis and synthesis of glycosides. Our model systems are the enzymes from (hyper)thermophilic microorganisms, mainly Archaea, the extant organisms closest to the early forms of life on Earth.
Enzyme Discovery & Engineering
Discovery and engineering of hyperthermophilic carbohydrate active enzymes (CAZymes) to understand substrate specificity, reaction mechanism and application in green chemistry, agro-food and plant polysaccharide degradation.
Metagenomic Analysis
Metagenomic analysis of hydrothermal environments for the identification of hyperthermophilic microorganisms, application of their genes and enzymes in biotechnology and to trace the origin and evolution of life on Earth.
Translational Recoding
Gene expression in Archaea (translational recoding) to understand the early mechanisms of transfer of genetic information.
Glycosynthases
Production of engineered glycosidases (glycosynthases), which synthesise oligosaccharides and glycoconjugates for green chemistry and biotechnology.
Pharmacological Chaperons
Identification of pharmacological chaperones for rescuing the activity of carbohydrate active enzymes involved in human orphan diseases.
Current Funded Projects
IBISBA
Industrial Biotechnology Innovation and Synthetic Biology Accelerator
IBISBA is currently being developed in two projects: IBISBA 1.0 and PREP-IBISBA. Both receive funding from the EU’s H2020 research and innovation programme and are defined by independent contractual agreements (n° 730976 and 871118) with the European Commission.
ASI
Italian Space Agency
From the essential questions on understanding the universe and the origin of life to experimenting new technologies, today, more than ever, space looks like the place to start in order for human beings to broaden their horizons, grow their awareness and guarantee a better future on Earth.
IBISBA-IT
Joint Research Unit - IBISBA Italian Node
IBISBA-IT is the Italian Node of the European Distributed Research Infrastructure IBISBA in which it occupies a well-defined position within four specific areas: Synthetic Biology, Green Chemistry, Sustainable Bioenergy, and Functional Food, strengthening Italian scientific research in the field of industrial biotechnology, providing support to national and local governments and promoting training activities.
Links
Carbohydrate-Active enZYmes database
The Living Encyclopedia of Carbohydrate-Active Enzymes.
Industrial Biotechnology Innovation and Synthetic Biology Accelerator
European Strategic Forum on Research Infrastructure
Agenzia Spaziale Italiana - Italian Space Agency
Italian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Società Italiana di Astrobiologia - Italian Society of Astrobiology
Microbial Life Under Extreme Conditions
Federation of European Microbiological Societies
International Congress on Extremophiles
Carbohydrate Bioengineering Meeting
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