The Armenise-Harvard Laboratory of Structural Biology

Referent: Prof. Federico Forneris

Co-workers: Prof. Alberta Pinnola, Dr. Riccardo Piccinno

We study molecular mechanisms of biosynthesis, recognition and regulation that underlie biological processes within the complexity of the extracellular matrix using an integrative structural biology approach. The extracellular matrix is composed of multiple molecular components whose organization and maturation are essential for tissue homeostasis. Within this complex environment, signal transduction pathways provide a precise and intricate means of conveying messages between neighboring cells. The specific recognition of soluble extracellular ligands by receptor complexes regulates numerous cellular functions by activating or inhibiting the expression of specific target genes. Any malfunction in such a delicate and tightly regulated system can reprogram multiple cellular functions, often with severe and unexpected consequences. We investigate these communication mechanisms by focusing on molecular recognition and regulatory processes in biomedically relevant proteins. Our aim is to characterize their structure–activity relationships and leverage these insights for drug-target validation and drug discovery.