Structural Biology Platform
To develop bioactive, low-molecular mass molecules against previously identified targets through a structure-based drug discovery approach.
The “Structural Biology Platform” offers instrumentation and expertise for preparation, purification and characterization of samples, different in size and nature. It is based on modern core facilities devoted to the production of mg-scale pure protein samples and to the synthesis of gram-scale bioactive compounds. It is a platform for hits and leads identification, according to a structure-based drug discovery approach for the development of bioactive, low-molecular mass molecules against previously identified targets.
The platform offers users the most advanced preparation, purification, and biochemical-biophysical characterization tools for the purposes of largescale high-purity sample production, integrated with a highly automated crystallization station and high-throughput small molecules synthesis laboratory.
Techniques
PP-HTC
Protein Production and HT Crystallization
The Protein Production laboratory provides expertise for production of a wide range of macromolecular samples, including single proteins, nanoantibodies, protein complexes, etc. A variety of expression systems are available, ranging from bacteria to insect and mammalian cells.
SMSC
Small Molecules Synthesis and Characterization
The facility is separated into two laboratories, respectively working on the synthesis of small molecules and peptides. These, thanks to the presence of automated and robotic systems, are able to fastly prepare gram scale batches of bioactive molecules or milligram scale libraries of compounds for medicinal chemistry screening.