Protein Biochemistry Laboratory ‘The Protein Factory 2.0’ - DBSV - Varese

“The Protein Factory 2.0” laboratory integrates expertise in the production, purification, and structural and functional characterization of recombinant proteins expressed in prokaryotic systems and mammalian cells, including through advanced protein engineering, rational design, and directed evolution approaches. Its activities encompass the development of engineered enzymes, therapeutic proteins, vaccines, and sustainable biocatalytic processes for biomedical, industrial, and circular economy applications. These studies are carried out within cutting-edge systems biology projects, integrating bioinformatics methodologies such as molecular dynamics, molecular docking, evolutionary conservation analysis, and antigenicity prediction, as well as multi-omics approaches.

A second distinctive area of the laboratory focuses on neurochemistry and the study of the synthesis, catabolism, and biological functions of L-serine, D-serine, and D-aspartate, with particular emphasis on their involvement in central nervous system disorders. The laboratory is also internationally recognized for the development and application of quantitative analytical methodologies, including enantioselective HPLC techniques, for the determination of amino acids in biological samples.

Equipment

• Bench-top CO₂ incubator with integrated shaker, 170 L, model S41i (New Brunswick™, Eppendorf)
• WAVE25 Bioreactor (Cytiva)
• 3 UV-Vis spectrophotometers, models V-560 and V-750 (Jasco)
• FP-8350 Spectrofluorometer (Jasco)
• Circular dichroism spectropolarimeter, model J-815 (Jasco)
• OT-2 automated liquid handling system (Opentrons)
• AKTA Explorer and AKTA Purifier chromatography systems (Cytiva)
• HPLC system with AS-2059 autosampler, MD-2010 Plus photodiode array (PDA) detector, and FP-920 fluorescence detector (Jasco)
• HPLC system with AS-4050 autosampler, MD-4010 PDA detector, and FP-4025 fluorescence detector (Jasco)

Equipment Associated with CRIETT*

• HPLC system with AS-4050 autosampler, MD-4010 PDA detector, FP-2020 fluorescence detector, and RI-4030 refractive index detector for gel permeation chromatography (GPC) (Jasco). Technical Contact for the instrument: Dr. Laura Caldinelli

Laboratory Directors 
Prof. Loredano Pollegioni (Head of the Laboratory), Prof. Gianluca Molla, Prof. Luciano Piubelli, Prof. Silvia Sacchi, Prof. Elena Rosini

Technical Contact 
Dr. Laura Caldinelli

Access Policy
Access to the laboratory is permitted only upon authorization from the Laboratory Directors

*Access to CRIETT-associated equipment is regulated according to the procedures established by the CRIETT Regulations for the Acquisition, Management, and Allocation of Major Equipment (see attached PDF).