The study and characterization of biological systems in strategic areas such as Biophysics, Biochemistry, Molecular and Genomic Biology are fundamental for the production of high-value biomolecules, such as biopharmaceuticals, precursors for chemical synthesis and biofuels. The collaborations currently established by UFABC and its international partners converge to those issues.
The present research proposal aims to aggregate lines of work involving characterization of different types of biomolecules of biotechnological interest through several experimental approaches, as well as to improve processes involved in the production of such molecules.
The specific aims of this project involve several areas, especially concerning: (i) use of biophysical techniques (such as X-Ray Diffraction, Small Angle X-Ray Scattering, Neutron Scattering, and Transmission Electron Microscopy) to characterize the interactions between new drugs and their target molecules, using structural studies involving microorganism proteins and biomimetic membrane systems; (ii) production and characterization of enzyme inhibitors produced by recombinant DNA techniques, novel peptides, antibodies and antibody fragments capable of inhibit serine proteases and other proteolytic enzymes of therapeutic interest, and (iii) characterization and using of gene expression for controlling mechanisms to produce new genetically modified microorganisms with high industrial potential for producing biofuels, biopharmaceuticals and other biomolecules of biotechnological interest.

Coordinator: Prof. Dr. Luciano Puzer
E-mail: luciano.puzer@ufabc.edu.br

Coordinator’s Curriculum Lattes (research projects, publications and academic info)

Coordinator’s research grants, scholarships and main publications (FAPESP)