UMH - Molecular Recognition and Protein Engineering and Biophysics

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Molecular Recognition and Protein Engineering and Biophysics

Research group

Molecular Recognition and Protein Engineering and Biophysics

Center: Institute of Research, Development and Innovation in Healthcare Biotechnology of Elche

+34 96 665 8470 - +34 96 665 8759

http://ibmc.umh.es/Grupos-de-investigacion.asp

Director

MATEO MARTÍNEZ, CARMEN REYES
rmateo(arroba)umh.es
+34 96 665 8761 - +34 96 665 8477 - +34 96 665 8469

Group members

MARTINEZ TOME, MARIA JOSE
mj.martinez(arroba)umh.es
+34 96 665 8477
NEIRA FALEIRO, JOSE LUIS
jlneira(arroba)umh.es
+34 96 665 8459 - +34 96 665 8475

GOMEZ PEREZ, FRANCISCO JAVIER
jgomez(arroba)umh.es
+34 96 665 8467 - +34 96 665 8761
MALLAVIA MARIN, RICARDO
r.mallavia(arroba)umh.es
+34 96 665 8941 - +34 96 665 8953 - +34 96 591 9302

Related information

Description:

Biological activity of biomolecules is based on their ability to be recognized in order to form non-covalent reversible complexes. Each of this group's members pursues some of the objectives that support molecular recognition processes by examining different problems of interactions between biomolecules and with different degrees of complexity.

Our sought after objectives include the following:

- Purification and immobilization of proteins (protein engineering, Jesús Sanz).
- Protein structure and thermodynamics of molecular recognition (José Luís Neira and Javier Gómez).
- Fluorescent nanomaterials applied to biological systems (Reyes Mateo, Ricardo Mallavia, and María José Martínez).

Type of research group:

Consolidated

Lines of research:

- Bioplastics.
We are interested in biotechnological applications deriving from the production of bacterial biopolyesters, natural biodegradable plastics that may constitute an attractive alternative to the use of petroleum derivatives. More precisely, we study the structure and function of several proteins involved in the synthesis, stability, and degradation of bioplastics such as the PhaF phasin from Pseudomonas putida. Furthermore, we are applying our expertise to immobilize various proteins of biomedical and industrial relevance by using these plastics as sustainable media.
- Design of peptides or organic compounds capable of inhibiting assembly of the protein that forms the HIV-1 capsid. This line is based on structural characterization of involved proteins, as well as kinetic and thermodynamic characterization of the interactions in each system, and is oriented towards rational design of inhibitors of the dimerization of the HIV-1 capsid as a means to inhibit the virus's viability.

- Development of new antibiotics based on phosphorylation routes in bacteria. This line is based on structural characterization of involved proteins, as well as kinetic and thermodynamic characterization of the interactions in each system, and is oriented towards rational design of proteins, peptides, or miniproteins capable of inhibiting the phosphorylation system of sugars starting with phosphoenolpyruvate (PTS route).
- Design, synthesis, and characterization of new fluorescent and multifunctional conjugated polymeric materials.
Such new materials are based on the design of conjugated polymers that incorporate fluorene rings, which permit controlling and modifying their properties, e.g., generating polyelectrolytes by incorporating ionic groups that favor their solubility in water, and improving the processing of materials at the surface, modifying the functional groups that play a specific and unique role. All this to be employed as new nanostructured materials, such as nanofibers or nanoparticles, in biotechnological applications like bioimaging, drug release, clinical diagnostics, and sensory devices for biomolecules. Moreover, the applications of these polymers can be extended as therapeutic platforms, from their effect as photosensitizers in dynamic phototherapy to their behavior as tracers of biomacromolecules in cell systems.
- Development of fluorescent materials with applications in biological systems. Specifically, work is ongoing on the design and manufacture of highly sensitive fluorescent biosensors based on encapsulation of biomolecules in inorganic matrices and the characterization of these hybrid materials on a molecular level in order to improve their applications. What's more, we are working on the design and characterization of new fluorescent markers to monitor biological processes and be used in bioimaging, clinical diagnostic applications, food, and the environment. Lastly, we study the behavior of biomolecules in unconventional media, which could be ionic liquids or confined systems, with the aim of optimizing conditions for improved function.
- Development of fluorescent sensors and biosensors with biomedical and environmental applications. Interaction of conjugated polymers with biological systems, such as proteins and lipid membranes, in order to explore possible biotechnological applications. Manufacture of fluorescent nanoparticles to be used in bioimaging and drug vehiculization.
- Pneumococcal choline-binding module C-LytA
The interest of this protein is three-fold: i) It serves as a model to study the folding and engineering of repeat proteins; ii) It is an efficient affinity tag for the single-step chromatographic purification of recombinant proteins (C-LYTAG (TM)) or in aqueous solution; and iii) It may constitute a good target for the design of new antimicrobials against Streptococcus pneumoniae based on small molecules or in multivalent dendrimeric particles.
Thermodynamic characterization of molecular recognition processes of biomolecules both intramolecular (like the case of protein folding) and intermolecular (like interactions that are protein-protein, enzyme-inhibitor, protein-DNA, etc.). Another relevant aspect of the research is the study of the inhibition of protein aggregation, both in its native state as well as partially or totally folded, by the increase in the electrostatic repulsion deriving from the formation of specific complexes with polyelectrolytes at high charge densities. Also being studied is the formation of coacervates between proteins and polyelectrolytes in aspects related to stability during long-term storage of protein drugs and the kinetic control of their release as the coacervate solubilizes.

Staff: Molecular Recognition and Protein Engineering and Biophysics