Racional design of inhibitors targeted against nucleic acid processing enzymes

• Grant number: 12/14394-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2012
• End date: August 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy
• Principal Investigator: Martin Rodrigo Alejandro Wurtele Alfonso
• Grantee: Paulo Eduardo Pinto Burke
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia (ICT). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São José dos Campos. São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The discovery of inhibitory RNA has led to important advances in biomedical research. The aim of this project is to analyze a group of proteins from the Cas group of bacterial proteins for drug design purposes. We intend to carry out a proof-of-principle virtual screening program with one of the principal proteins from this group. As the CRISPR proteins participate in the defense of bacteria against bacteriophages and plasmids, this work could open new strategies for the development of treatments against numerous diseases caused by these organisms.(AU)