Welcome to the De Lab
Our mission is to decode the structural and dynamic principles dictating how proteins function and are regulated. Leveraging cutting-edge solution NMR spectroscopy, advanced biophysical techniques and cellular biology, we offer a collaborative environment for young scientists eager to solve fundamental biological puzzles across two main pillars:
1. Regulation of HOX Transcription Factors Transcription factors are master biological regulators kept under tight control to prevent developmental disorders and cancer. We investigate the intricate mechanisms governing these proteins, such as post-translational modifications, protein partnerships, and DNA-binding autoinhibition. Using Drosophila HOX factors as an elegant model system, we dissect fundamental regulatory rules, translating these discoveries to Human HOX factors, which are critical therapeutic targets for cancer treatment.
2. Structure-Guided Protein Engineering & AI-Driven Design We translate deep biophysical insights into powerful synthetic tools across three innovative domains:
Intein-Mediated Cyclic Peptides: We engineered a highly efficient split-intein system to generate cyclic peptides and proteins in vivo. We leverage this to design cyclic peptide inhibitors against critical disease-related protein targets for drug discovery.
Industrial Enzyme Optimization: To optimize the highly valuable enzyme xylanase for extreme environments, we incorporate and screen unnatural amino acids directly within its active site, chemically expanding its toolkit to enhance stability and catalytic function.
Generative AI & De Novo Design: Embracing the AI revolution in structural biology, we apply Generative AI to design de novo proteins and custom nanobody binders directed against therapeutic targets, merging computational biophysics with precision medicine.
Join Us We are always seeking passionate graduate students. If you are excited by the intersection of biophysics, structural biology, and molecular medicine, we would love to hear from you.
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Dynamic Studies on Intrinsically Disordered Regions of Two Paralogous Transcription Factors Reveal Rigid Segments with Important Biological Functions by Maiti S., Acharya B. , Sheersh Boorla V. , Manna B. , Ghosh A. , De S. Journal of Molecular Biology 431 1353-1369 (2019)
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Experimental methods to study the structure and dynamics of intrinsically disordered regions in proteins by Maiti S., Singh A., Maji T., Saibo N.V., De S. Current Research in Structural Biology 7 100138- (2024)
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Stability and dynamics of extradenticle modulates its function by Singh A., Acharya B. , Mukherjee B. , Boorla V. S., Boral S. , Maiti S. , De S. Current Research in Structural Biology 7 100150- (2024)
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Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy to Analyse Protein Folding and Dynamics by Saibo N., Boral S. , Saha R. , Das A. K., De S. Protein Folding Dynamics and Stability 61-81 (2023)
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Extein residues regulate the catalytic function of Spl DnaX intein enzyme by restricting the near attack conformations of the active site residues by Boral S., Sen S. , Kushwaha T. , Inampudi K. K., De S. Protein Science - (2023)
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Identification of potential short linear motifs (SLiMs) in intrinsically disordered sequences of proteins by fast time-scale backbone dynamics by Maiti S., De S. Journal of Magnetic Resonance Open - (2021)
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Structural and dynamic studies of the human RNA binding protein RBM3 reveals the molecular basis of its oligomerization and RNA recognition by Roy S., Boral S. , Maiti S. , Kushwaha T. , Basak A. J., Lee W. , Basak A. , Gholap S. L., Inampudi K. K., De S. The FEBS journal - (2021)
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Structural, Dynamic, and Functional Characterization of a DnaX Mini-intein Derived from Spirulina platensis Provides Important Insights into Intein-Mediated Catalysis of Protein Splicing by Boral S., Maiti S. , Basak A. J., Lee W. , De S. Biochemistry 59 4711-4724 (2020)
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Structural Insights into N-terminal IgV Domain of BTNL2, a T Cell Inhibitory Molecule, Suggests a Non-canonical Binding Interface for Its Putative Receptors by Basak A. J., Maiti S. , Hansda A. , Mahata D. , Duraivelan K. , Kundapura . V., Lee . , Mukherjee G. , De S. , Samanta D. Journal of Molecular Biology 432 5938-5950 (2020)
Principal Investigator
- Engineering allosteric regulation in an intein enzyme and its application for the synthesis and purification of linear and cyclic therapeutic peptides from bacteria DBT, NEW DELHI
- Scientific Consultancy for Analytical Studies NMR PROTEIN ADVANCED ANALYTICS PRIVATE LIMITED
Ph. D. Students
Aakanksha
Area of Research: Structural Biology
Ahana Chakraborty
Area of Research: Structural Biology
Aitijhya Kar
Area of Research: Engineering xylanase enzyme
Beas Mukherjee
Area of Research: Protein engineering
Jagadish Bar
Area of Research: Protein splicing
Jayashis Dasgupta
Area of Research: Transcription Regulation
Kajal Mondal
Area of Research: Molecular Cell Biology
Pratyusha Adak
Area of Research: Directed evolution of intein enzyme
Puja Banerjee
Area of Research: Transcriptional regulation
Soumya Sarathi Ganguly
Area of Research: Biochemistry
Srijon Sen
Area of Research: Protein engineering