University of Valencia, Faculty of Chemistry, Physical Chemistry Department
Avda. Dr. Moliner, 50 C.P. 46100 Burjassot Valencia
Research Group
SIGMO
Signal & Modelling
The structure of a protein-protein interaction, its affinity and thermodynamic characteristics depict a 'frozen' state of a complex. This
picture ignores the kinetic nature of complex formation and dissociation, which are of major biological and biophysical interest. The
research focus should be on the kinetic pathway of protein-protein complexation, the nature of the encounter complex, transition state
and intermediate along the reaction, and the effects of mutation, viscosity, pH and salt on association. So Arthur Kornberg (1918-2007)
was visionary when he said:
"With occasional gestures in the direction of biology, chemistry
departments still retain the classical separations into discrete divisions of
organic, physical, and inorganic-analytical chemistry. Perhaps the
departments can now ignore the analysis and synthesis of proteins and
nucleic acids because these procedures have become straightforward
enough to be machine-programmed and operated. But the structure-
function relationship of these macromolecules is another matter".
Hence, the research group focus is on technological applications of biological
interactions through molecular systems that once understood can lead to new
mimetic-based technologies and devices for diagnostics. The group has
interdisciplinary interest and some expertise that goes from nanoscience to
biotechnology.
The study of the protein-protein interactions constitues a
powerful tool able to allow ultrasensitive label free
detection of clinically important targets and binding affinity.
Within these studies biofunctionalized transducer surfaces
(in microarray platform or not) can be generated using
specific surface chemistries and binding moieties to target
specific clinically important proteins associated with
diseases and pathological disorders. The main purpose of
this subject is to continue to develop the concept and
explore its functionality for clinical important markers
aiming devices to be clinically tested.