Event Type: Monthly Colloquium
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The nitrilase mechanism: A proposal based on experimentally determined structures and molecular modeling
Nitrilases are enzymes that convert nitriles to the corresponding carboxylic acids and ammonia or to the corresponding amides. They have substantial sequence homology to the cysteine-dependent amidases, which convert amides to the corresponding carboxylic acids and ammonia, but the nitrilases do not convert amides. Unlike the amidases, for which there are many crystal structures, nitrilases…
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From novel DCAF1 ligands to PROTACs and chemical probes: Harnessing AI-driven technologies to target undruggable proteins
Human DCAF1 is a multidomain protein that plays a critical role in protein homeostasis. Its WDR domain functions as a substrate recruitment module for RING-type CRL4 and HECT family EDVP E3 ubiquitin ligases, enabling the ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of specific substrates. DCAF1’s activity has been implicated in cell proliferation and is documented to promote…
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Physics associated with the cytoskeleton – networks, motors, and confinement
The cytoskeleton in cells can play mechanical and transportation roles. Such networks, when confined, have properties that are not like that of bulk networks. We show how a self-consistent field theory approach allows the calculation of density and polarisation density profiles within a confined space, and associated prediction of mechanical properties [1]. We also contrast…
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Native Mass Spectrometry as a Modern Tool for Characterizing and Drugging Transient Protein-Protein Interactions
Transient Protein-Protein Interactions (PPIs) are central mediators of protein activity and signaling network and their modulation has significant impact on cell metabolism and regulation. They are therefore considered promising, albeit challenging, opportunities to expand druggable chemical space. However, due to the transient nature of these interactions, this class of PPIs is particularly challenging to characterize…
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Quantum effect, biological context: An introduction to quantum biology
Quantum biology is an exciting field of research with a pronounced interdisciplinary focus. This lecture will cover a short history of quantum biology before clarifying some of the important concepts in the field and reviewing the different biological contexts in which quantum effects may play a role, which include photosynthesis, enzyme catalysis, DNA mutation, receptor…
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Cryptic No More: Characterising a Novel Allosteric Site in the HIV-1 Protease Cantilever Region
HIV-1 protease is a critical enzyme for viral maturation and one of the most well-studied proteins in structural biology. While much attention has focused on its active site, there is interest in how the enzyme might interact with small molecules at other regions on its surface. In particular, some of these potential sites, called cryptic…
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Structural Biology and Cancer: Using Structural Biology to Develop Immunotherapies
This talk will focus on early-stage work in the Starbird lab to investigate the structural basis for how receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are activated in the context of cancer or diseased states as opposed to in normal signaling, as well as how we can utilize that information in therapeutic design. Current work is focused on…
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Visualizing antibody maturation for pathogenic viruses with cryo-EM
Discover how STEM-evolved monoclonal antibodies outpaced SARS-CoV-2 variants, revealed by cryo-EM structural insights.