Research
Regulation of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs)
G protein-coupled receptors mediate intercellular communication and are the target for 35% of drug in the clinic. Our goal is to understand the molecular mechanisms of the regulation of GPCRs by lipids, small molecules, approved drugs and other proteins in order to improve or generate novel therapeutics. For this purpose we use an integrated approach of structural biology techniques (Cryo-electron microscopy and X-ray crystallography), biophysics, functional cell assays and biochemical assays. We currently focus on receptors with functions in the central nervous system and that play a major role in neuropathologies.
Orphan G protein-coupled receptors
Around 70 GPCRs are still orphan, i.e. no endogenous ligand have been found yet. Our goal is to characterize their signalling routes, develop assays to test controversial proposed agonists and understand their functional and structural mechanisms.
Protein engineering tools
Membrane proteins are intrinsically unstable outside the membrane environment and to overcome this problem we develop our own protein engineering tools. We have develop a molecular cloning system that simplifies all cloning protocols (see addgene blog, Sci. Rep, 2016 and JBC, 2019) , allowing to create in a cheap, quick and simple manner an array of membrane protein constructs that can be tested for expression and stability. This system is also applicable in any biomedical research laboratory in any of project.
Funding
