DBDD - Research teams
The Department of Biothermodynamics and Drug Design (DBDD) was established in 2006 based on the former Laboratory of Recombinant Proteins. The DBDD designs novel chemical compounds for therapeutic purposes. The efficiency of both naturally occurring and synthetic compounds is evaluated by structural biothermodynamics and molecular mode
ling methods.
The laboratory’s personnel consist of five teams according to their research goals and activities:
The Team of Molecular and Cellular Biology, headed by Dr. Jurgita Matulienė (Ph. D. in cell biology from the University |
The Team of Organic Synthesis, headed by Dr. Virginija Dudutienė (Ph. D. in organic synthesis from the Vilnius University, 2005), synthesizes compounds that are designed to bind carbonic anhydrases and other drug target proteins. Compounds are designed by computer docking, molecular modeling, and comparison with naturally occurring or previously |
The Team of Biophysics, headed by Prof. Daumantas Matulis (Ph. D. in biochemistry, molecular biology and biophysics from the University of Minnesota, USA, 1998), measures compound binding to target proteins by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), fluorescent thermal shift assay (DSF, ThermoFluor®), pressure shift assay (PSA), and conventional enzyme inhibition methods. The team determines intrinsic Gibbs free energies, enthalpies, entropies, heat capacities and volume of binding and measures protein stability in the presence of various excipients. |
The Team of Molecular Modelling, |
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Collaborations Institute of Medical Technology, University of Tampere, Finland Memberships |