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Archive / INF Seminars / INF_2023_02_14_Diego_Brancaccio

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	Biomolecular NMR: from sample preparation to 3D structure

Host: Euler Institute

Tuesday

14.02

USI Campus Est, room D5.01, Sector D

15:00 - 16:00


	Diego Brancaccio University of Naples

Abstract
The function of bio-macromolecules is determined by both their 3D structure and conformational dynamics. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) is a field of structural biology in which NMR spectroscopy is used to obtain information about the structure and dynamics of proteins, nucleic acids, and their interactions. This structural information is the basis of development of small molecules that can be used to probe the normal biology of the interaction ("chemical biology") or to provide possible leads for pharmaceutical use (drug development). Structure determination by NMR spectroscopy usually consists of several phases, each using a separate set of highly specialized techniques. The sample is prepared, measurements are made, interpretive approaches are applied, and a structure is calculated and validated. The aim of this seminar will be to provide an overview of the potentialities of solution NMR in structural biology and how it can be implemented thanks to computational methods.

Biography
Dr. Brancaccio's research focuses on Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) techniques for the investigation of ligand/macromolecules interactions (proteins, nucleic acids, cells). Using the knowledge accrued from his experience in Prof. Bertini's and Prof. Banci's labs (CERM), dott. Brancaccio applied NMR techniques for drug discovery campaigns aimed at developing new drugs for several targets (CXCR4, MDM2, G-quadruplex, etc.). His work has been published in 48 publications on international journals and 6 on high-impact journals (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA, Nucleaic Acids Research, Angewandte Chemie International, Nature Communications, etc.). He is currently a member of the Editorial Board of the Frontiers in Chemistry journal.