Projects / Programmes
January 1, 2004
- December 31, 2008
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 1.05.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Biochemistry and molecular biology |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| P250 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Condensed matter: structure, thermal and mechanical properties, crystallography, phase equilibria |
| P310 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Proteins, enzymology |
| P351 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Structure chemistry |
| P370 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Macromolecular chemistry |
| B110 |
Biomedical sciences |
Bioinformatics, medical informatics, biomathematics biometrics |
| B120 |
Biomedical sciences |
Molecular biophysics |
| B500 |
Biomedical sciences |
Immunology, serology, transplantation |
| T360 |
Technological sciences |
Biochemical technology |
| T410 |
Technological sciences |
Pharmaceuticals and related technologies |
| T490 |
Technological sciences |
Biotechnology |
structural biology, macromolecular crystallography, immunology,limited proteolysis, MHC class II, cathepsins, invariant chain, antigen
presentation, endosomlal pathway, computational methods
Researchers (17)
Organisations (2)
Significance for science
Structural studies combined with biochemical, molecular and cell biology and physiological approaches enable us to gain insight into the mechanisms of interactions of molecules, their specificity and physiological role. The understanding of mechanisms of biological processes is the basis, which allows targeted manipulation of biological systems with foreseen consequences and thereby enables the use of knowledge for the benefit of humanity and life on Earth. Structural biology is one of the most quickly evolving areas of contemporary science. Results in the area of structural biology are a consequence of combined use of complex technological approaches and techniques by competent and specialized team members. Its development is linked to substantial investment into research, including infrastructural facilities as diffraction beamlines at synchrotrons and protein and crystal production facilities. Availability of the whole genomes of a variety of organisms, including human, endows this investigation with new dimension. Parallelization of procedures, their automation, appearance of a variety of novel techniques are providing the possibility to synergistically increase the output of research. It must be stressed though that the lack of investments and the size of team below the critical mass are a serious limitation for the continuation of competitive research at the international level. Understanding of immune response at a molecular level is the key factor in our defense against infectious and autoimmune diseases. Elucidation of players and characterization of individual interactions among them may help us to deliver therapeutics for treatment and prevention of such diseases. Therefore research targeting the key players of the mechanisms of the adaptive immunity is one of the most developed and cutting edge research areas in the world.
Significance for the country
Understanding of mechanisms of interaction of biological molecules is the basis, which allows targeted manipulation of biological systems with foreseen consequences and thereby enables the use of knowledge for the benefit of humanity and life on Earth. The newly generated knowledge can lead to new products which stimulate economic development. This proposal supports the sustained development. The Structural biology program is collaborating with a number of groups inside and outside the country (see the main application form). If the infrastructural program “Centre for protein and structure production” will receive adequate funding it is expected that the technological support for the protein production will be improved (as suggested by the FEBS evaluation performed in 2005). It is expected that such Center will provide support for a number of groups in the country and near vicinity. The Structural biology is currently the only program, which has the elementary equipment and is capable of applying a variety of techniques in successful determination of 3-dimensional structures of macromolecules from the crystals. The program leader is with over 3000 citations one of the most cited scientist in the country and received in 2005 Zois award, the highest Slovenian award for scientific achievements. The working group is a potential source of highly qualified personal that is needed in modern biotechnology oriented industry. 4 PhD students are currently trained. Qualified personal has the potential to start their independent industrial career in the area of molecular biology, biotechnology and agriculture. PhD in natural sciences is also the basic education for patent lawyers. Ex members Manca Kenig and Igor Stern are current Lek employees, whereas Sasa Jenko Kokalj current employee is European Comission, where she acts as the scientific officer responsible for genomics and systems biology projects. The knowledge and expertise is of interest for pharmaceutical industry as indicated by contracts with pharmaceutical company Lek and resulting publication. Besides in 2007 an European patent has been approved for utilization of crystal structures of cathepsin C.
Most important scientific results
Final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Final report,
complete report on dLib.si
