RESEARCH FOCUS AREA
I study the molecular bases of human pathologies investigating the structural properties of proteins, mainly involved in cancer. Analysing the pathogenic variants and the structural “hot spots” of the proteins of interest is possible to understand the consequences of gain- or loss-of-function mutations and the regions to be targeted for therapeutic purposes. The step forward is the rational design of compounds in order to develop specific therapies able to rescue a mutated phenotype or regulate crucial cellular pathways.
GROUP MEMBERS
Eloise Mastrangelo, Mario Milani, Elisa Fagnani, Paolo Cocomazzi, Bianca Braggiotti, Francesco Bonì
Students:
Saba Kojastehpour – Uni Pavia, Mona Amini Baghbadorani – Uni Insubria, Giuliana Damante – Uni UPO, Riccardo Geromini Uni UPO, Doris Mirdita Unimi, Michele Mosconi – Uni Trieste
PROJECTS
- Targeting BIR-mediated onco-PPIs: rational design of NF-κB modulators (PI, AIRC-MFAG 25728)
- S.T.I.T.CH”. Structural TRAF2 Interactions and Therapeutic Chances
- Structural and biochemical bases of the pathogenicity of the Apoptosis Inducing Factor (AIF)
- Development of organophosphate degraders of CDK4/6 (PROTACs) interacting with cIAP1 (PROTAC)
- Development of piperidines as new IAP-targeting compounds against chemoresistance in cancer
FUNDINGS
- Targeting BIR-mediated onco-PPIs: rational design of NF-κB modulators – AIRC-MFAG (2022-2026). Grant nr: 25728. Cancer. Scientific Resp, PI of the project
- Development of organophosphate degraders of CDK4/6 (PROTACs) interacting with cIAP1 (PROTAC) (2025-2027) – SONATA-20 – Narodowe Centrum Naouki. International Collaborator
- Development of piperidines as new IAP-targeting compounds against chemoresistance in cancer La Ligue contre le Cancer (2025-2026). International collaborator
- Structure determination of XIAP-BIR1. Instruct integrated biology (2024). PID33131. Scientific team member
- One Health Basic and Translational Research Actions addressing Unmet Needs on Emerging Infectious Diseases, INF-ACT – PNRR Enlarged Partnerships PE13 (2022-2025) Team member
- S.T.I.T.CH”. Structural TRAF2 Interactions and Therapeutic Chances PRIN MUR (2023-2025), Team member of the partner unit.
- Broad-spectrum rescue-of-secretion of Tdark glycoprotein mutants. Cariplo Telethon Alliance (2024-2025). Grant nr. 4618. Team member
- Type I BIR domain inhibitors in cancer therapy: Searching drugs for regulation of the NF-B pathway (2015-2018). 36 person months Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro (Italy); Team member of the principal unit
- Inhibitors of Apoptosis Proteins (IAPs) as anticancer therapeutics” 36 person months. FONDAZIONE CARIPLO (2009-2012). Member of partner unit.
- Fellowship “Dote ricercatore” supported by Regione Lombardia-Prodest (2008)