Protein structure/dynamics and mechanistic studies. Protein engineering for biotechnological applications.
The overarching goal of de Alba laboratory is to determine the molecular and mechanistic bases of cellular processes essential to life from a biochemical and biophysics perspective and to apply our findings to successfully engineer proteins with altered functionality that serve as templates of potential therapeutic targets, and to the biotechnological application of protein molecular platforms and macrostructures. Our studies require a variety of complementary techniques that delve in the atomic, molecular and supramolecular levels, including high-resolution NMR, fluorescence spectroscopy, native Electrospray Mass Spectrometry and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM).
Selected Publications:
- P. Diaz-Parga and E. de Alba. Chapter: Interactions of the Inflammasome Adapter ASC by solution NMR. DNA Sensors and Inflammasomes. 2019. Methods in Enzymology. 625, 223-252.
- E. de Alba. Structure, interactions and self-assembly of ASC-dependent inflammasomes. “Inflammasomes - Intracellular Mediators of Immune Defense". 2019. Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics. 670, 15-31.
- R. J. T Nambayan, S. I. Sandin, D. A. Quint, D. M. Satyadi and E. de Alba. The inflammasome adapter ASC assembles into filaments with integral participation of its two Death Domains, PYD and CARD”. 2019. J. Biol. Chem. 294, 439-452.
- J. Oroz, S. Barrera, C. Alfonso, G. Rivas, E. de Alba. ASC Pyrin domain self-associates and binds NLRP3 protein using equivalent binding interfaces. 2016. J. Biol. Chem. 291, 19487-19501.
