- Structural Biology
- Biochemistry
- GPCR Signaling
- +۳ مورد دیگر
Francesca Fanelli is a Full Professor at the Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. Her research focuses on structural biology of membrane proteins, particularly G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and their associated signaling mechanisms. She explores the molecular basis of diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa and myeloid malignancies using computational tools like Protein Structure Network (PSN) analysis and molecular dynamics simulations. Her work bridges atomic-scale structural insights with cellular processes, including protein misfolding, receptor oligomerization, and drug discovery strategies. Teaching: Francesca Fanelli instructs courses in Structural Biology and Biotechnology, emphasizing principles of protein and nucleic acid structures, experimental methodologies (e.g., NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography), and safety protocols (SICURMORE certification). She employs interactive audiovisual tools and software for 3D macromolecule visualization. Research Interests: Francesca Fanelli’s research integrates computational and experimental approaches to study GPCR function, structural communication pathways, and the effects of mutations on protein stability. Key areas include GPCR oligomerization dynamics Allosteric regulation mechanisms Small molecule chaperone development Photoreceptor protein signaling (e.g., rhodopsin, melanopsin) Mutational effects in inherited diseases Computational tools for macromolecular analysis (e.g., webPSN) . Publications: Recent work highlights her contributions to understanding GPCR signaling reprogramming in human labor, structural plasticity of arrestin-receptor complexes, and the development of web-based PSN analysis tools. These studies emphasize her focus on translational research with therapeutic applications for diseases such as blindness and cancer. Labs: Francesca Fanelli leads the Center for Structural Biology and Bioinformatics Laboratory (CSBL) at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, accessible via http://www.csbl.unimore.it and the webPSN server (http://webpsn.hpc.unimore.it/wpsn3.php). Her team investigates structure-function relationships in biological systems using advanced computational frameworks.





