Biological Chemistry

The team BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY is a multidisciplinary team composed of chemists and biochemists who share common strategies related to protein chemistry and reactivity. Its activity involves chemical synthesis, protein chemistry, redox (bio)chemistry, molecular modeling, metabolism, studies on the reactivity and biological functions of metabolites or effector molecules. The team shares common strategies and equipment. It is organized into 2 thematic groups and technical support staff members are common to both groups.

chemical biology

Metabolism, Pharmacochemistry and Neurochemistry

 The work of this group focuses on decrypting the reaction mechanisms of several proteins involved in metabolism (Cytochromes P450 and Paraoxonase-1), protein and nucleic glycation repair (DJ-1/PARK7), regulation of various central nervous system (CNS) receptors (metabotropic glutamate receptors – mGluRs) or amino acid transporters, and formation of gaseous signaling molecules (nitric oxide, NO). In addition, the work of this group consists in deciphering the intrinsic molecular properties, signaling functions, metabolism and/or toxicological effects of small molecular compounds (NO, anti-thrombotic drugs, peptides such as hepcidin, metabolites from the Kynurenine Pathway, specific regulators of mGlu 2, 4 receptors).

Redox Homeostasis and Bio(in)organic Chemistry of Reactive Sulfur Species

The work of this group focuses on the vast network of redox-based effector signals that regulate critical biological functions and participate in both our health and many diseases. As such, we are involved in the study of the homeostasis of sulfur-containing signaling species (hydrogen sulfide H2S, per- or poly-sulfides R-S-(S)n-H), in the deciphering of their intrinsic molecular properties (use of reliable chemical tools, such as disulfanido metal complexes or garlic-derived organosulfur compounds, and selection of suitable models to decrypt their mechanisms of action), and the decoding of their signaling functions under physiological or pathological conditions (at the molecular, cellular and animal levels). In addition, we are also interested in the development of dedicated molecular probes to carry out these researches, such as redox probes for the determination of the redox tone by electron paramagnetic resonance and specific fluorescent probes.

Biological Chemistry

Research

The team BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY is a multidisciplinary team composed of chemists and biochemists who share common strategies related to protein chemistry and reactivity. Its activity involves chemical synthesis, protein chemistry, redox (bio)chemistry, molecular modeling, metabolism, studies on the reactivity and biological functions of metabolites or effector molecules. The team shares common strategies and equipment. It is organized into 2 thematic groups and technical support staff members are common to both groups.

chemical biology

Metabolism, Pharmacochemistry and NeurochemistryThe work of this group focuses on decrypting the reaction mechanisms of several proteins involved in metabolism (Cytochromes P450 and Paraoxonase-1), protein and nucleic glycation repair (DJ-1/PARK7), regulation of various central nervous system (CNS) receptors (metabotropic glutamate receptors – mGluRs) or amino acid transporters, and formation of gaseous signaling molecules (nitric oxide, NO). In addition, the work of this group consists in deciphering the intrinsic molecular properties, signaling functions, metabolism and/or toxicological effects of small molecular compounds (NO, anti-thrombotic drugs, peptides such as hepcidin, metabolites from the Kynurenine Pathway, specific regulators of mGlu 2, 4 receptors).

Redox Homeostasis and Bio(in)organic Chemistry of Reactive Sulfur SpeciesThe work of this group focuses on the vast network of redox-based effector signals that regulate critical biological functions and participate in both our health and many diseases. As such, we are involved in the study of the homeostasis of sulfur-containing signaling species (hydrogen sulfide H2S, per- or poly-sulfides R-S-(S)n-H), in the deciphering of their intrinsic molecular properties (use of reliable chemical tools, such as disulfanido metal complexes or garlic-derived organosulfur compounds, and selection of suitable models to decrypt their mechanisms of action), and the decoding of their signaling functions under physiological or pathological conditions (at the molecular, cellular and animal levels). In addition, we are also interested in the development of dedicated molecular probes to carry out these researches, such as redox probes for the determination of the redox tone by electron paramagnetic resonance and specific fluorescent probes.