Expertise offer: structural mapping of protein-protein interactions in health and disease

The structure-function dogma continues to dominate biochemistry and chemical biology investigations. Often understanding structural considerations governing biological processes is a crucial contribution to basic science and applied projects. Two brief examples from our recent work demonstrate this: (i) We solved the structure of a therapeutic 19-mer peptide bound to the C-terminal SH3 domain in the nucleation promoting factor cortactin, allowing (using computational methods) the design of peptides with improved binding, and, eventually, better stability. (ii) Our novel structure of the complex between Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASp) and its cellular chaperone WASp Interacting Protein (WIP) explained how WASp is phosphomodulated in cells, how specific mutations cause this rare immunodeficiency, and how patients with different mutations can be stratified allowing more personalized care. Note how both in health (case 1) and disease (case 2) this structural information is key.

Our capabilities are directly related to HEALTH calls. See all the following ways we can help you:

(1) Develop an in vitro binding assay for your biological target. We provide not only bind/no-bind info but also the pose adopted by your SMC/peptide.

(2) Provide a structural framework for your drug design efforts. The reliability of all modeling and AI approaches is greatly (and sometimes critically) enhanced by experimental data (known as "constraints").

(3) Uncover the underlying mechanisms of how genetic variability causes disease and cluster patients by disease factors.

We have a long and productive history in forming collaborations in academia and these abilities are highly translatable to the SME/pharma world. Our cutting-edge expertise in chemical/structural biology is potentially the decisive factor in your next project.