From Protein to Medicine

Without proteins, life would not be possible. How inhibiting a given protein may lead to a new drug, will be discussed in the lecture.

Proteins are the building blocks of life – whether in humans, animals, plants, bacteria or viruses – every cell needs many different proteins to function. These are huge molecules with a complex three-dimensional structure characterized by cavities, loops and branches. Some proteins cause damage in the organism, so it would be good to block them. This can be achieved by active ingredients, chemical compounds that fit “like a key in a lock” into certain regions of the protein. In the search for active ingredients, it is extremely helpful to know the structure of the protein. To do this, the experts first grow crystals of protein molecules and then screen them with extremely intense X-ray light. At BESSY II, this X-ray light is available at three beamlines for protein crystallography. More than 3,000 structures of important proteins have already been decoded at BESSY II, including proteins that play a role in cancer, malaria or the multiplication of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

PUBLIC LECTURE AND Q&A VIA LIVESTREAM. PLEASE REGISTER.

This is a digital event. If you would like to attend please book your spot until 2 November here.

The access to the event will be provided through the organiser and after registration.