The Protein Factory 2.0

The main focal points of the research activity of the Protein Factory 2.0 are:

– the investigation of enzymes and whole metabolic pathways, in particular the ones involved in the metabolism of D-amino acids, their regulation and dysfunctions related to relevant human diseases;
– the analysis of D-amino acids in human serum and fluids, to validate alterations in their levels as early biomarkers in Alzheimer’s disease;
– the production of improved variants (generated by protein engineering) of recombinant proteins useful in several areas of biotechnology: human health (protein therapeutics), bio-based industry (biocatalysis), biorefineries (lignin valorization), bioremediation and circular economy processes (removal of pesticides, plastics and toxins);
– the analysis of paclitaxel levels in human blood after drug-coated balloon treatment.

Staff and contacts

Find us: Campus Bizzozero; Via Dunant, 3; 21100 Varese; yellow floor

Group website

Keywords: D-amino acids; recombinant proteins; protein engineering; neuromodulation; biocatalysis; biorefineries; biosensors; structural bioinformatics; enzymology; lignin valorization, plastic degradation

ERC sectors: LS1_2 general biochemistry and metabolism, LS1_5 protein synthesis, modification and turnover, LS1_11 biochemistry and molecular mechanism of signal transduction, LS9_1 applied genetic engineering, transgenic organisms, recombinant proteins, biosensors, LS9_9 applied biotechnologies, bioreactors, applied microbiology, LS5_2 neurophysiology.

Collaborations: Ca’ Foscari University of Venice; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland; CMIC, Polytechnic of Milan; CNR-IRSA, Water Research Institute, Verbania; Cryo-EM Lab, Dept. of Biosciences, University of Milan; DAAIR, D-Amino Acid International Research Center, Gerenzano; Dept. of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese; Institute of Sciences of Food Production (ISPA-CNR), Bari; IRCCS Galeazzi Orthopedic Institute, Milan; Lab of Behavioural Neuroscience, Ceinge Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples; LuMIn, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, ENS Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France; Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Neurology Unit and Vascular Surgery Unit, Circolo and Fondazione Macchi University Teaching Hospital, Varese; University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Caserta; University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA; University of Milan; University of Milan-Bicocca; University of Naples Federico II; University of Parma; University of Pavia; University of Rome “Tor Vergata”.