Projects
Faster mapping of cancer driver mutations in new protein-protein interaction interfaces Ghent University
In cancer, tumors accumulate genetic mutations at a strongly enhanced rate. Some of these
mutations are shown to drive cancer development. In most of the cases, these so-called cancer
driver mutations correspond to mutations in proteins. Proteins interact with each other to fulfill
their function. Often, cancer driver mutations are found exactly at the contact interface between
two interacting proteins. This can lead ...
Bioinformatics for a high-throughput deep mutational scanning protein-protein interaction assay: turning a prototype into a precision medicine toolbox Ghent University
This proposal contributes to the development of a high-throughput method to characterize the impact of nearly every mutation on specific protein-protein interactions. After bioinformatics-driven experimental optimization, this method will be applied to tumor-driver protein interactions (TP53, PTEN, PIK3R1) and results compared to large-scale tumor mutation and gene expression data. This will allow to demonstrate the major relevance for ...
Study of protein-protein interaction networks in intact cells and application on the leptin receptor Ghent University
MAPPIT is a technology that allows detecting protein interacties in intact human cells, and was developed in our research group. We will apply this novel two-hybrid tool at a large-scale to map human protein interaction networks, with a special emphasis on signaling via the leptin receptor.
Study of protein-protein interaction networks in intact cells and application on the leptin receptor Ghent University
MAPPIT is a technology that allows detecting protein interacties in intact human cells, and was developed in our research group. We will apply this novel two-hybrid tool at a large-scale to map human protein interaction networks, with a special emphasis on signaling via the leptin receptor.
Protein-protein interactions: from bench to bedside Ghent University
Protein-protein interactions (PPI's) are at the heart of cellular function. In our Methusalem consortium, we will apply several techniques including MAPPIT and protein crystallography in order to obtain a deeper insight into the role of PPI's at several levels: from large-scale interactome mapping and signalling pathways down to the molecular details of designated protein interaction pairs. This program incorporates the interaction between ...
Detailed study of protein-protein interactions: study of the activation mechanism of TOLL-like receptors Ghent University
Toll-like receptors are activated by interactions between TIR domeins. Homology models are built for the TIR domains. The MAPPIT method and in vitro binding studies with recombinant TIR domains are combined with extensive mutagenesis studies to identify the interaction interfaces. These data are used as input for data-driven in silico docking. This leads to experimentally validated models for TIR-TIR complexes.
Cellular co-factors of HIV: protein-protein interactions as novel drug targets Ghent University
Our objective is to increase basic understanding of protein-protein interactions, to develop technology to identify and validate protein-protein interaction relevent for human disease and to develop assays and evaluate inhibitors of protein-protein interaction. Specifically, we want to develop novel treatment strategies for HIV infection by targeting cellular co-factors involved in HIV replication: Lens Epithelium Derived Growth Factor ...
RiPPing through pathogenic bacteria and protein-protein interactions KU Leuven
Ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) are a rapidly expanding class of chemically and structurally diverse bacterial natural products. Many exhibit therapeutically important biological activities, such as antibiotic, antifungal, insecticidal, immunomodulating and anti-cancer activities. The relaxed substrate specificity of RIPP biosynthetic enzymes, together with the increasing availability of methods to ...
A fluorescence-based tool for protein-protein interactions analysis and identification of novel processes of fluconazole susceptibility in Candida species KU Leuven
Candida species at the same time represent the predominant commensal fungi in the human gut microbiome and are among top 6 most common causes of serious fungal infections worldwide. Our research imperatives are better understanding the biology of these opportunistic pathogens that drives their dual lifestyle as well as finding effective treatments for the eradication of Candida infections.
Mapping the complex ...