Molecular Processes and Therapies

Molecular Processes and Therapies is focused on how gene products, primarily proteins, interact within molecular machines. We use structural biology, proteomics and mathematical modelling to unravel the structure and function of these protein complexes and to develop novel therapies.

Challenges

In order to detect disease mechanisms and develop novel molecules for therapeutic intervention, a deep understanding of molecular processes and interactions in healthy and diseased cells is required. We aim to identify soft spots within molecular machines as targets for rational therapies.

The colored “flowers” show protein fragments of the intestinal bacterium Escherichia coli that were analyzed using a mass spectrometer. The mass spectrometer functions like a high-precision scale in which protein fragments can be identified by their exact weight. Thus, nowadays it is possible with a mass spectrometer to analyze hundreds of proteins in a few hours.

© Matthias Sury, MDC

Solutions

We analyze the structure and dynamics of protein complexes with the help of advanced techniques such as cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM), super-resolution microscopy and spatial proteomics. Our aim is a better understanding of protein dysfunction in disease and the identification of small drug-like molecules for therapeutic intervention.