معرفی
Maria Pellegrini is a Research Professor at Dartmouth College with expertise in biophysical chemistry and structural biology. Her research focuses on protein-protein interactions, particularly studying NEMO (NF-kB Essential Modulator) and cFLIP, using techniques like NMR spectroscopy to understand molecular mechanisms and develop therapeutic approaches.
Education:
- Ph.D. in Chemistry, University of Padova, 1996
- "Laurea" degree (B.Sc.) in Chemistry, University of Padova, 1992
Dr. Pellegrini's research centers on understanding protein-protein interactions at the molecular level, with particular focus on the NF-kB signaling pathway and apoptosis regulation. She employs structural biology techniques including NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography to study proteins like NEMO and cFLIP. Her work aims to identify binding sites and develop molecules that can interfere with or block specific protein interactions, with potential therapeutic applications for diseases involving misregulated cell signaling pathways.
Her recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on structural characterization of protein domains involved in critical cellular pathways. She has made significant contributions to understanding the IKK-binding domain of NEMO, the structure of cFLIP, and various bacterial proteins. Her work often involves protein engineering approaches to stabilize domains for structural studies and employs biophysical techniques to characterize protein interactions and screen for potential inhibitors.
Scientific Awards:
- NIGMS R01 Award: "Targeting the IKK-Binding Domain of NEMO for Inhibitors Discovery" ($1,476,000; 09/01/2019 – 07/31/2023)
- NIAMS R03 award: "Targeting the IKK-binding Domain of NEMO for Inhibitors Discovery" (09/20/2014 – 08/31/2017)
Dr. Pellegrini has secured significant grant funding for her research on protein-protein interactions and inhibitor development. Her NIGMS R01 award supports ongoing work to target the IKK-binding domain of NEMO. She collaborates extensively with researchers including Michael Ragusa, Dale Mierke, and others on structural biology projects. Her research has implications for developing therapeutic approaches for diseases involving misregulated NF-kB signaling.
Dr. Pellegrini maintains an active research laboratory focused on structural biology and protein engineering. Her team utilizes NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and biochemical approaches to study protein structure-function relationships. Current projects include NMR-based fragment screening for inhibitors targeting protein-protein interactions in the DISC (death-inducing signaling complex) and continued structural characterization of domains involved in critical cellular pathways.
