Skip to main content

Ciulli Laboratory

School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee

Main menu

  • Home
  • Alessio Ciulli
  • Research
  • Group
  • Publications
  • Positions
  • News
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Alessio Ciulli
  • Research
    • Cullin RING E3 Ligases
    • PROTACs
    • Chromatin-Reader Domains
    • Fragment-Based Lead Discovery
    • Chemical Probes
  • Group
    • Past Group Members
    • Past Group Photos
    • Ciulli Lab Cards
  • Publications
  • Positions
    • Postdoctoral Scientists
    • Postgraduate Studentships
    • Visiting PhD Students
    • Summer studentships / Internships
  • News
  • Contact

front-group.jpg

Chemical & Structural Biology of Protein-Protein Interactions

We are broadly interested with understanding and exploiting the ligandability of protein-protein interactions (PPIs) and protein surfaces within complex biological systems. Of particular interest are protein interfaces recognizing protein Post-Translational Modifications (PTMs). We employ a question-driven, multi-disciplinary approach that combines chemical, biophysical and structural techniques with the concepts of fragment-based drug design. Current research efforts are directed towards targeting PPIs and PTM recognition within protein families of biological and medical relevance within the Ubiquitin and Chromatin systems:

1) the Cullin RING E3 ubiquitin ligases (CRLs) multisubunit complexes

2) a family of multidomain proteins containing paired chromatin reader domains

We seek to understand the chemical nature of the surfaces and intersubunit interfaces of these proteins, and to exploit their tractability and selectivity toward small molecule modulation. The ‘chemical probes’ we design and develop are evaluated biophysically, structurally and inside living cells as tools to address biological questions.

  • Electron density map of a small-molecule ligand bound to a protein
  • Dissecting fragment-based lead discovery at protein-protein interfaces
  • A drug bound to its protein target
  • Targeting multi-protein complexes with small molecules
  • Protein-protein interfaces: Molecular insights
  • Biophysical approaches to study protein-ligand and protein-protein interactions
  • A fragment bound to its target binding site
  • Investigating the activity of our chemical probes inside living cells

Latest News

  • ToC graphics
    Our SAR story disclosing dual Brd7/9 PROTAC degrader VZ185 is published in J. Med. Chem.
  • Group picture at the Lands of Loyal
    The Lab Christmas Dinner was held at Lands of Loyal, Alyth. It was a productive and fun Year, Merry Christmas everyone!
  • Aileen and Sofia
    Welcome to Aileen who joins the group as Medicinal Organic Chemist (AC-BI Team); and to Sofia who join the group as visiting Ph.D. student from Lisbon
  • Siying Zhong
    Welcome to Siying who joins the group as Organic Computational Chemistry Scientist (AC-BI PROTAC Collaboration)

Funding

bbsrc.png

   

Boehringer_Ingelheim_Logo.svg_.png

   

erc.png

   

FCT_V_cor_0.jpeg

   

logo-alessio_0.jpg

   

marie.png

   

Nurix-Logo.jpg

   

ono-image.png

   

wellcome-logo-black_0.png

 

medresscotlogohighres.png

Prof Alessio Ciulli
Professor of Chemical and Structural Biology
School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee
Division of Biological Chemistry & Drug Discovery
James Black Centre
Dow Street, Dundee, DD1 5EH
United Kingdom

E-mail: a.ciulli@dundee.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1382 386230
Fax: +44 (0)1382 386373

uni_logo.png