General Description
Molecular Links Rome (MoLiRom s.r.l.) is a spin-off Company of the “Sapienza” University of Rome. The mission of MoLiRom is focused on the development of advanced projects in the biosynthesis and production of protein based products including protein engineering based on random or site directed mutagenesis. The development of diagnostic and therapeutic nanodevices based on engineered recombinant proteins capable of recognizing specific tumor cell receptors is currently actively pursued. Protein on (silicon) chip technology for nanoscale Surface Plasmon Resonance measurements is currently ongoing.
Alessandra Bonamore, PhD, leading scientist at MOLIROM, molecular biology and protein engineering.
Alberto Boffi, MD, Chief Operating Officer at MOLIROM.
Pierpapolo Ceci, PhD, scientist at MoLiRom, expert in protein based nanocarriers for theranostic.
Academic Supervisor
Alberto Boffi, MD, full professor. Molecular Biology, Sapienza Università di Roma.
Recombinant protein production and expression, random and site-selected mutagenesis, protein immobilization on activated silicon surfaces. Facilities comprise a fully equipped molecular biology lab, a pilot scale purification station, AFM and SEM microscopy.
PhD supervisor: Dr Alessandra Bonamore
Objectives:
SO = Scientific Objectives;
TO = Training Objectives.
SO1: Adapting proteins to experimental requirements through genetic engineering.
SO2: Preparation of next generation protein carriers for theranostic applications.
TO1: Training in protein engineering.
TO2: Training on photosensitive protein initiation.
The ESR will be trained to protein engineering and protein crystallography procedures and sample preparation for time-resolved X-ray spectroscopy. Chemical synthesis/modification of photosensitive compounds and their screening will complete the experimental training. The ESR will take part into full development of technology transfer processes. This expertise will be used to develop intellectual properties and pave the way to the commercialization of the end products of the research.
Involvement with other tasks: Protein crystallization will be carried out at UROM and preparation for Serial femtosecond crystallography experiments.
Local Training: The ESR will be trained to gene design and protein engineering including expression and purification at Molirom’s laboratory.
This ESR will be enrolled as a PhD student at the University of Rome, which offers courses in chemistry, biochemistry and physics.
Humanized archaeal ferritin as a tool for cell targeted delivery
de Turris V., Cardoso Trabuco M., Peruzzi G., Boffi A., Testi C., Vallone B., Montemiglio L.C., des Georges A., Calisti L., Benni I., Bonamore A. and Baiocco P.
published online 23 Nov 2016- PMID: 27942679 DOI: 10.1039/c6nr07129e
Probing bulky ligand entry in engineered archaeal ferritins.
Calisti L., Benni I., Cardoso Trabuco M., Baiocco P., Ruzicka B., Boffi A., Falvo E., Malatesta F. and Bonamore A.
Available online 15 October 2016 – PMID: 27755975 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2016.10.007
ESR
Matilde Trabuco
2009 – 2014 Master Degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Lisbon, Portugal.
Research projects:
“Synergistic effect of EP4 receptor agonista and rituximab on chronic lymphocytic leucemia” and “Classic galactosemia: characterization and stabilization of GALT missense mutants R231C and R231H
Main field of study: Biochemistry
Speciality: Protein function and structure
