Directory
Structural biology
We investigates several phenomena occuring in biomolecules (DNA, proteins,...) with a particular emphasis on:
- DNA damage and repair: The group has developed an expertise in the investigation of DNA (photo)lesions, particularly those related to oxidation and/or ionization, to unravel their induction and structural consequences. Our current studies primarily focus on the nucleosome, which compacts DNA by wrapping the double helix around a protein core. The proteins (histones) induce specific mechanical constraints and a unique electrostatic environment that influence both damage formation and repair. Our simulations help to better understand this impact and provide molecular-scale explanations for experimental observations..
- Interaction of small binders to with proteins and therapeutic targets: We have developed collaborations with various members of the Laboratoire de Chimie for the modeling of interactions between biologically relevant molecules (drugs, crystallophores, contrast agents, etc.) and their targets (proteins, DNA). These models help characterize networks of weak interactions that may drive specificity or explain molecular behavior in biological environments. They complement other structural data (NMR, spectroscopic data, crystallography).