Laboratory

Research activities | Techniques | Campus
RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
The « Integrative Structural Biology » lab, headed by Isabelle Landrieu, studies the structural bases and molecular mechanisms that control the biological function of proteins and the impact of their deregulation in human pathologies.

Of particular interest are intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs). These proteins present particular characteristics such as numerous post-translational modifications or proline-rich regions that will modulate their function, in particular their interactions, and/or their sensitivity to aggregation in proteinopathies.

We address these questions using multidisciplinary and integrated experimental approaches such as molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology and also implement biophysical techniques as nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and cryo-electron microscopy.

We mainly perform basic science but meanwhile we use this knowledge to characterize new therapeutic targets and to evaluate the therapeutic potential of various compounds, from small molecules to nanobodies (very small antibodies).

The lab is member of the laboratory of excellence (LabEx) DISTALZ (Development of Innovative Strategies for a Transdisciplinary approach to ALZheimer’s disease).

We welcome researchers and international students that like to work in an interdisciplinary environment with lab members from different backgrounds and nationalities.

TECHNIQUES

Structural Biology

Studying the structure and dynamics of biomolecules (proteins or other biopolymers) or molecular complexes. The lab managed 3 NMR spectrometers including a 900 MHz and a 600 MHz spectrometers both equipped with a cryoprobe and a sample changer. The lab is member of the national NMR Very High Field research infrastructure (Infranalytics). We also have granted beamline time on SOLEIL and ESRF synchrotron in France. We have in-house facility to prepare cryo-EM sample grids (Glow discharge and Vitrobot systems).

Expression & Purification of proteins

We produce recombinant proteins, both in E. coli and insect cells, that are involved in human pathologies and purify them thanks to several FPLC machines (Cytiva Akta Pure, Biorad NGC).

Cell biology

Studying the function of protein/protein interactions in the cellular context.

Molecular interactions

Monitoring the kinetic or equilibrium parameters of the interaction between proteins and their partners (protein, nucleic acids, molecules…) using biophysical techniques such as SPR, Fluorescence, ITC

 
CAMPUS

The lab is located in Lille, a highly dynamic and pleasant city, which has a central place between several European capitals (Paris, Brussels, Luxembourg, Amsterdam, London) that can be reached in less than 80 minutes- https://hellolille.eu/en/ . Lille with its 115,000 students constitutes the second French university pole.

Our research buildings are located in the “Haute-Borne” campus, one of the 7 sites of excellence of the Lille metropole. The lab is hosted in a modern and pleasant building in an interdisciplinary research campus, next to the Faculty of Sciences and Technologies of the Lille University.