Biochemical and Structural Characterization of a Bacterial Nucleic Acid Processing Protein

• Grant number: 13/00871-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: September 01, 2013
• End date: August 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy
• Principal Investigator: Martin Rodrigo Alejandro Wurtele Alfonso
• Grantee: Nádia Valéria Gavilan Villegas
• 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. Aim of this project is to analyze a protein from the Cas group of bacterial proteins. These proteins participate in the processing of inhibitory RNA by the so called CRISPR system. We intend to clone, express, purify and analyze both biochemically and structurally a protein from this group. As the CRISPR proteins participate in the defense of bacteria against bacteriophagues and plasmids, this work could open new strategies for the development of treatments against innumerous diseases caused by these organisms.