PhD Project ESR5
Development of molecular probes acting on Tau/Tubulin and a-Synuclein/Tubulin interface
SUPERVISORS
Prof. Sara Pellegrino, University of Milan
Prof. Sandrine Ongeri, University of Paris Sud (secondment)
INVOLVED UNIVERSITIES
INVOLED COMPANY
PhD COURSES
Pharmaceutical Sciences (UNIMI)
Therapeutic Innovation (UPSud)
OBJECTIVES
The aim of the project is the development of peptide based molecular probes able to modulate the Tubulin Tau and a-Synuclein protein network.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT
The Early Stage researcher (ESR) will first synthesize different protein domains of Tau and a-Synuclein involved in the interaction with tubulin that will be used for setting up the biochemical experiments (tubulin kinetics and binding). Then, the ESR will prepare a library of peptide molecular probes according to the information received from the computational design (ESR1). The obtained library will be evaluated in terms of conformation (CD, FT-IR and NMR experiments) and interaction with tubulin. Finally, starting from the most promising peptide sequences, peptidomimetics will be prepared by inserting non-natural AAs and secondary structure mimics.
The ESR will be enrolled by the University of Milano (https://www.unimi.it/) under the supervision of Prof. Sara Pellegrino and will be awarded a Double Doctorate degree in co-tutelle with the University of Paris Sud (https://www.u-psud.fr/en/index.html), under the supervision of Prof. Sandrine Ongeri.
The research will involve secondments to the University of Paris Sud (development of sugar based and fluorinated peptidomimetics) and AnkarPharma (http://ankarpharma.com/en/home2/), Spain.
The selected candidate will participate in the network’s training activities and work placements in the laboratories of the participating academic and industrial partners.