Physics-Based simulations of co-translational protein folding reveal functional and pharmacological roles of folding intermediates
Pietro Faccioli
Associate Professor. Bicocca Quantum Technology Center & Physics Department, University of Milan-Bicocca.
Theatre room, CiMUS
About
Physics-based simulations of co-translational protein folding have revealed conformational states that are populated during the folding process that can play unexpected functional and pharmacological roles. PPI-FIT is a therapeutic strategy based on identifying small molecules that selectively bind to pockets accessible only in such folding intermediates. This interaction hinders the folding process and triggers protein degradation via the cellular quality control machinery.
Bio
Pietro Faccioli earned his PhD from SUNY at Stony Brook (USA). After earning a tenure position in theoretical subnuclear physics in 2005 at U. Trento (Italy), he shifted his research interests towards cross-disciplinary applications of theoretical physics to investigate dynamics of biomolecules. He is co-inventor of the PPI-FIT technology and co-founder of Sibylla Biotech, SPA. In 2023 he moved to U. Milan-Bicocca.
Hosted by PI Jesús R. Requena. PrionLab, CiMUS
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