Institute of biostructure and bioimaging (IBB)

Expertise

The skills of Biostructures section include:
Design of structural basis of new systems with potential applications in advanced imaging and biologies .
Characterization by x - ray diffraction and nuclear magnetic resonance of macromolecular systems to different complexity .
Production of nucleic acids and derivatives systems
Synthesis of peptides and peptide -mimetic systems
organic synthesis
Synthesis of nucleic acids and derivatives
parallel synthesis
combinatorial synthesis
Expression of protein systems
Study of interactions in complex protein / protein systems , protein / nucleic acid , protein / substrate
Optimization of lead compounds by means of structure-activity correlation studies and ligand-receptor interaction analysis with the use of spectroscopic techniques , spectrometric , computational and biological
Characterization and pre - clinical evaluation of novel radiolabeled probes such as peptides , antibodies and oligonucleotides in cell systems

The skills of the Bioimaging section include:
Multimodal acquisition and processing diagnostic images with planar and tomographic techniques; integrated imaging, co-registration and fusion imaging
Quantitative morphometric analysis, segmentation and automated classification of tissue components;
development and testing in vitro and in vivo labeled probes; Biodistribution studies; autoradiography; oncohematology molecular quality control of diagnostic imaging equipment; definition of radiation treatment plans (external beam and radioiodine therapy); dosimetry and monitoring of security of the workplace;
diagnostic applications of magnetic resonance techniques (diagnostic, metabolic and functional studies)
diagnostic applications of emissive tomography (flow studies, metabolism and receptor)
Diagnostic applications of computed tomography (volumetric studies, post-processing, interventional applications)
ultrasound diagnostic applications (morphological and functional studies with Doppler techniques);
Advanced diagnostic applications of imaging in cardiology techniques for quantitative assessments and prognostic in patients with ischemic heart disease
statistic analysis; study of the possible use of biometric techniques

The skills of the Catania Unit are related to caratterizzazzione copper complexes Thermodynamics (II) The most recent interest is the study of molecular recognition processes in biological systems and molecular phenomena that underlie the "folding" and "misfolding "of proteins and oligopeptides in the presence of metal ions. In fact, a major part of her research focuses on the study of conformational peptides and proteins as well as conformational changes of these binding upon complexation with metal ions. The experimental approach most commonly used involves the use of CD spectroscopy, NMR, ESI-MS, EPR. Furthermore, in order to define in a detailed manner the amino acid residues involved in the coordination with the metal, the synthesis of analogous peptides bearing point mutations is a valid experimental method. In this context, the section of Catania possesses the appropriate scientific expertise that have materialized in a significant number of publications in this area which is considering also significant repercussions in the biomolecular field.
The research group also has solid experience in the field of synthesis, the chemical and physical characterization and site specific delivery of conjugated cyclodextrin derivatives with compounds of biological and pharmaceutical interest.