Massimo Degano

Massimo Degano is a Lecturer at San Raffaele Vita-Salute University, with a career spanning structural biology, biochemistry, and translational medicine. His work focuses on macromolecular structural characterization using X-ray crystallography and biophysical techniques, particularly in immunology and drug design.

• Education: Chemistry (1992)
• Key affiliations: Fondazione San Raffaele, Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, The Scripps Research Institute

Research interests include:

• Structural Immunology – Investigating B-cell receptor dynamics in lymphoid malignancies (CLL, splenic marginal zone lymphoma) and antigen recognition mechanisms.
• Structure-Based Drug Design – Developing therapeutic strategies against cancers and infectious diseases through molecular modeling.
• Macromolecular Complexes – Analyzing protein interactions in immunoglobulins, proteases, and ribosomal components.
• Translational Medicine – Bridging structural insights to clinical gene therapy applications (e.g., mucopolysaccharidosis IVB).

Recent publications (2025-2020) highlight structural studies on:

• ERC1/ELKS condensates in cell motility
• Somatic hypermutation in SARS-CoV-2 immune responses
• ClpP protease inhibition in multiple myeloma
• GPR17 receptor for remyelination therapy

Scientific engagements include membership in the Società Italiana di Immunologia e Allergologia Clinica (2021-present) and editorial service at Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences (2020-present). His work emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and external grant funding for structural biology projects.