Applied Protein Biochemistry

The Applied Protein Biochemistry lab combines protein biochemistry and biophysics with structural biology to study protein function in pathophysiological contexts and to design and develop proteins with biotechnological potential.

Our main research interests can be divided in three major topics.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) metabolism in human (patho)physiology

  • crosstalk between the gasotransmitters NO, CO and H2S
  • structure, function and pharmacological targeting of proteins involved in the metabolism and
  • signalling pathways of reactive sulfur species
  • cysteine post-translational modifications

Protein (mis)folding in disease

  • structure-function relationships in pathogenic variants of enzymes related to inborn errors of metabolism and cancer
  • small molecule-based alternative therapies

Development of innovative computationally designed therapeutic proteins

  • engineering and production of computationally generated recombinant protein designs
  • design and production of immunogenic nanoparticles for drug delivery
  • interaction with targets by biophysical methods

O grupo de Bioquímica Aplicada de Proteínas combina bioquímica e biofísica de proteínas com biologia estrutural para investigar a (disf)função de proteínas em contextos patofisiológicos específicos, e para desenhar e desenvolver proteínas com potencial biofarmacêutico/biotecnológico.

As principais áreas de investigação actualmente são:

  • Metabolismo humano do sulfureto de hidrogénio e (pato)fisiologia
  • Proteínas ‘desordeiras’ no contexto de doença
  • Desenvolvimento de proteínas terapêuticas inovadoras desenhadas computacionalmente
iNOVA4Health
Biological Chemistry
Lab Head
João Vicente

PhD in Biochemistry - Universidade NOVA de Lisboa and Sapienza University of Rome (Italy)