SRP-Onderzoekszwaartepunt: Exploiting Peptides: Protein Binders, Modulators and Inhibitors for Imaging and Therapy [Exploit-PeptIT]

The overall objective of this SRP is to develop novel peptide-based compounds for clinical diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. This general aim will be anchored around a number of more specific goals including (i) the modulation of protein-protein interactions and protein dynamics, using GTPase networks as a case study, (ii) the development of peptides that target connexin and pannexin channels in liver disease and (iii) the generation of peptides as in vivo probes for molecular imaging and therapy. In practice this will be accomplished either by developing peptide analogues based on important peptide segments in the targeted proteins, or by downsizing existing protein-binding scaffolds such as Nanobodies (to obtain so-called ‘peptidomimetics’). The overarching workflow encompasses fundamental research ranging from the production of peptide tools, to the study of their in cellulo and in vivo behavior, via intermediacy of the in- depth biophysical analysis of binding events between the peptides and the targeted proteins. Information from these in vitro and in vivo studies will subsequently be used to optimize the peptide design. To achieve the ambitious bench-to-bedside goals, the consortium relies on the unique and complementary expertise and ‘know-how’ of its team leaders originating from various disciplines and different VUB faculties, which will allow to move beyond the current state-of-the-art.