Beamline / Project / Activity descriptionAt Elettra, a Structural Biology Laboratory (SBL) is active, which applies molecular and structural biology tools to study key molecular mechanisms that are deregulated within the cell and lead to diseases such as cancer, neurodegeneration, and infectious disorders. Our expertise is on protein drug targets and biomarkers supporting structural-based drug discovery. The Elettra Protein Facility (EPF) is part of the SBL. It focuses on recombinant protein expression, purification, and characterization, supporting users and collaborators from public or private laboratories. This state-of-the-art facility works in tight collaboration with the Elettra beamlines and, in particular,



with the x-ray diffraction beamline XRD2.
The Protein Facility is a partner of the regional project “GLIOMA:
research and therapy” that aims to establish a center for translational research and preclinical development of innovative and predictive therapeutic strategies for treating brain tumors. The project is financed by the Regional Law 13/2021 art.8, and has a duration of 3 years. The role of EPF within the project is to produce and characterize recombinant proteins that are essential players in glioma. The more promising proteins for the development of a treatment - being drug targets, biomarkers, or biotherapeutics - will be selected for further investigations using biochemical and structural tools. Project partners include the Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Friuli Centrale, IOM-CNR, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico (Aviano), SISSA and the University of Udine.
More information can be found at:
Desired skills and experience
Good time management skills and the ability to prioritize are expected, together with the ability to interact with collaborators and tutor younger scientists,



as well as work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are essential.
Areas of Research
Biochemistry
Structural Biology
Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry