X-ray Studies of Large Proteins, Protein-Nucleic Acid Complexes and Carbohydrate modifying enzymes.

This is a BAG proposal submitted by four research groups of two internationally recognized institutions. Prof. Ignasi Fita (PI), leading the team at IBMB-CSIC, his primary focus lies in the structural investigation of macromolecular complexes, soluble proteins, and membrane proteins associated with the terminal organelle of Mycoplasmas within the pneumoniae cluster. These proteins play crucial roles in the parasitic lifestyle and gliding motility of Mycoplasmas. The group led by Prof. Nuria Verdaguer (PI) at IBMB-CSIC concentrates on unraveling the structure-function relationships of proteins and macromolecular complexes central to pathological processes. Their research spans virus particles, proteins, and complexes involved in RNA virus replication, as well as enigmatic structures like the eukaryotic vault particle.
Prof. Miquel Coll (PI) heads a team at IRB/IBMB and is intrigued by the structural analysis of protein-nucleic acids interactions. Their work encompasses protein-DNA complexes, protein-DNA-inhibitor complexes, and macromolecular protein-protein complexes, all pivotal in gene expression regulatory mechanisms across diverse organisms.
Prof. Marcelo Guerin's group, recently incorporated at the IBMB-CSIC specializes in understanding the structural determinants and substrate specificity modulation of Carbohydrate-Active family of Enzymes (CAZYme).
While each group has its unique area of expertise, they collectively share a common goal: to uncover the structural foundations of biological machineries in both healthy and pathological conditions. This collaborative endeavor holds immense promise in advancing our understanding of the complex molecular mechanisms governing several biological processes.