Miniaturized metalloproteins : new biocatalysts by design

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Project objective

There is a vacancy for a fellow position to join the Bioinorganic Chemistry Group, at the Department of chemistry, University of Naples (Italy). The research field deals with the functional characterization of miniaturized metalloproteins. Miniaturized metalloproteins are peptide based synthetic models of natural macromolecular systems. Peptide models stand at the crossroads of small molecule models and large proteins. Their structures are simple, and hence more easily understood than their natural counterparts. They simultaneously have sufficient size and chemical diversity to allow the construction of functional, binding and catalytic sites. The Bioinorganic Chemistry Group in Naples reached important results in the design, synthesis and characterization of three miniaturized metallo-protein systems:1) hemo-protein models;2) diiron protein models;3) iron-sulfur protein models. The post-doctorate fellows will carry out measurements of the catalytic activity of the miniaturized metalloproteins. Fellows will carry out a systematic analysis of the effects of the peptide matrix in modulating the properties and the reactivity of the metal centre, such as recognition of specific substrates, regio- and chemio-selectivity. The rates, extents and turnover numbers will be correlated with the physical and structural properties of the protein, including the solvent accessibility of the active site, the presence of second-shell hydrogen bonds, and the redox potential of the ions. The fellows will be responsible for the selection of the proper assays, which will be chosen depending on the system to be tested. Applicants should have a first degree in chemistry or equivalent ability, a PhD or a good experience in bio-inorganic chemistry, and in enzyme catalysis. The successful candidates will also join our group competences, which range from: peptide and protein design; peptide synthesis; structural characterization by Circular Dichroism. NMR and X-ray diffraction.

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Participants

• UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI NAPOLI FEDERICO II · NAPOLICoordinatorItaly

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