Research Lab

CryoEM@NOVA: Structural Biology and Drug Discovery

70861

Lab Members

Lab leader

Hartmut Luecke

Science Managers

Vanessa Roque Cabral

Research Interests

Structural biology with an emphasis on membrane protein structure-function studies and structure-based drug discovery using cryo cryo electron microscopy (cryo-EM).

Our main objectives are:

Establishing a sustainable cryo-EM infrastructure for sample preparation and processing
Establishing a knowledge and training hub for cryo-EM
Developing critical mass in cryo-EM research
Establishing partnerships
Developing novel therapies targeting carcinogenic and human infectious disease mechanisms.

Research Highlights

Unveiling 3D structure of membrane proteins for medicinal therapies disclosure

Approximately 50% of the world population is estimated to be to be chronically infected with Helicobacter pylori, causing diseases such as gastritis, gastric ulcers and stomach cancer. The eradication of this pathogen involves the use of antibiotics and, thus the resistance of bacteria to such antibiotics is rising rapidly, and, consequently, the need for a specific eradication drug is urgent. Our recent cryo-EM studies describe H. pylori urease in complex with various inhibitors, a potential new therapy against H. pylori.

CryoEM at NOVA