Structural Biology

Alessandro Desideri obtained his degree in Physics from the University of Roma La Sapienza (1975) and PhD in Chemistry from University of Leicester (UK, 1982). Since 1995, he is Full Professor of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Rome Tor Vergata. In addition to teaching, his research interests are: Relationship of structure and function in topoisomerase I; Interaction of topoisomerase I with anticancer drugs; Molecular dynamics simulation of proteins in different environments; and Principles of molecular recognition in proteins through mutagenesis by spectroscopic and simulative methods. He is a Peer Reviewer of several journals such as Journal of Molecular Biology and he also sits on several Editorial Boards. Over the years, he has held positions in several foreign institutes.

Alessandro Desideri Full Professor of Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata

His scientific activity focuses on the use of computational methods for the investigating the structural, functional and dynamical properties of biological macromolecules (molecular modelling, classical molecular dynamics, Brownian dynamics, electrostatic calculations, molecular docking). Associate professor responsible for the courses "Structural bioinformatics" (6 CFU), master Degree in Bioinformatics and “Introducing Linux operating system” (3 CFU), for all Bachelor and Master Degree in Biology. He is a peer reviewer for of international journals such as: Proteins, J. Am. Chem Soc., J. Phys. Chem., FEBS Letters, EMBO Journal. Author of 109 articles on 65 international high-impact scientific journals.

Mattia Falconi Associate professor of Structural Bioinformatics, Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata

Silvia Castelli was born in Rome, Italy, in 1974. She received a degree in Biology in 2002 from the University of Roma Tor Vergata, and the Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Tor Vergata University, in 2005. Since 2005 she works as Post doc at the University of Rome Tor Vergata. Her main interest is the study of structure-function relationship of proteins using techniques of spectroscopy. In recent years her work has focused on the structural and functional characterization of human topoisomerase I and its interaction with anticancer drugs, to clarify the mechanism of action and to develop drugs of greater efficacy. She is the author of more than 30 articles published in peer-reviewed international journals.

Silvia Castelli PhD

My work is mainly focused on the design and computational modelling of complex DNA nanostructures,coupled to the investigation of their structural/dynamical parameters through the use of molecular dynamics (MD) techniques. Nevertheless I am also interested in membrane proteins, protein-ligand or protein-DNA interactions and any other bioinformatics issues.

Federico Iacovelli Researcher at the University of Rome "Tor Vergata"

High processivity sequencing data for the emerging virus study: genome assembly, phylogenetic analysis, pathogenic marker study, NGS metagenomic analysis with random amplification, metagenomic analysis by targeted sequencing of rDNA sequences, silica analysis of methods of molecular diagnostics.

Cesare Gruber Independent Collaborator at IRCCS National Institute for Infectious Diseases "L. Spallanzani"

I am a young researcher at my last year of PhD in “Material for Health Environment and Energy” at the "University of Rome Tor Vergata”. My topic research focuses on structural biology, bioinformatics and classical molecular dynamics simulation of biological systems in solution. I consider myself an enthusiastic person, able to work in team and I have willingness to face new challenges.

Francesca Cardamone PhD research student - Molecular Dynamics Simulation

PhD Student, M.Sc. in Bioinformatics; Interests: Metagenomics, 16s rRNA sequencing, Computational Genomics, Bioinformatics, Programming and scripting.

Daniele Pietrucci Computational biologist, PhD student at University of Rome "Tor Vergata"

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Structural Biology Group - Department of Biology - University of Rome Tor Vergata

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