Partners

Partner 14: Structural Genomics Group, IBBMC, Université de Paris-Sud, Orsay.

Partner : Dr. Herman van-Tilbeurgh
Deputy : Dr. Marc Graille

The structural genomics group applies the technological advances acquired during a structural genomics pilot project for the production of biologically important proteins and complexes. The structure and function of these proteins are studied by means of crystallography and biochemical techniques. The main research interests of the group are in multiprotein complexes involved in splicing, transcriptional regulation and translation. Part of the group is also involved in developing theoretical tools for the prediction of the structure of protein complexes.
The group recently completed a pilot project on soluble yeast proteins of unknown structure which produced 27 protein structures, 17 from yeast and 10 from other organisms. Recently, amibitious new projects have been launched on structural genomics of archaeal virus proteins and multi-protein complexes isolated from yeast. The group has set up an efficient protein production pipeline that goes from cloning to 3D structure determination and biochemical analysis. The Yeast Structural Genomics group is equipped with a cloning-expression pipetting station for HTP protein production. The group also has a state of the art robotic platform for protein crystallization. The lab is fully equipped for protein purification and has close collaborations with nearby fermentation facilities and the SOLEIL synchrotron. The group is at the heart of LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System) development (HALX, collaborations with the EBI and Weizmann Institute) and improved versions are in development. Our platform has recently been labeled as the national French protein production and crystallization facility (RIO). Joel Janin is a leading expert in the field of theoretical approaches for the analysis of protein-protein interactions and is one of the coordinators of the world wide protein complex prediction contest (CAPRI).