Giuseppe Melacini

Overview

One of the main research programs in the Melacini Research Group (MRG) focuses on the molecular pharmacology of ageing-induced neurodegeneration. Ageing induces oxidative stress, which in turn alters signaling pathways critical for metabolic regulation. We are investigating the mechanisms underlying the effect of oxidation on kinases. In addition, most neurodegenerative diseases are linked to the self-association of amyloid forming peptides and proteins. Hence, we also focus on the mechanism of action of amyloid inhibitors that suppress pathogenic oligomerization pathways. Our primary tool to investigate the molecular mechanisms of kinase and amyloid inhibitors is Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. We complement NMR with several other techniques for protein biochemistry and biophysics (e.g. protein purification, fluorescence, MS, DLS, SPR, ITC etc.). Our work on amyloid inhibitors focuses on the interactions between amyloidogenic peptides, such as the Abeta peptide linked to Alzheimer’s disease, and agents that interfere with self-association. These include either small molecules, such as the EGCG green tea extract, or endogenous plasma proteins, such human serum albumin (HSA). To learn more about our work on this topic please follow this pubmed link. We are now expanding these studies to other intrinsically disordered proteins linked to neurodegeneration, such as alpha-synuclein, which is associated with Parkinson’s disease. Further innformation is available at the Melacini Lab website.

Affiliations

• Professor
• Faculty of Science, McMaster University
• Joint Appointment, Biochemistry & Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences
• Member, Biointerfaces Institute, Faculty of Science
• Professor, Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Faculty of Science
• Acting Department Chair, Chemistry & Chemical Biology, McMaster University 2022-2023
• Director, Chemical Biology Graduate Program 2023-2024

Education

• Laurea’ (Physical Chemistry), University of Milan
• PhD (Biophysical Chemistry), University of Milan with research at UC San Diego
• Postdoc, U. Utrecht, NL