Latest Academic Works
Computational investigation of protein-RNA interactions detected by CLIP, their specificity and dynamics in embryonic development
RNA molecules dynamically interact with RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), which control various aspects of RNA fate, such as its processing, localisation, and stability. Intricate networks of protein-RNA interactions thereby regulate gene expression and have a profound effect on downstream cellular processes. Most RBPs recognise specific motifs on their bound RNAs, characterised …
Cathepsin cleavage of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) affects signaling pathways of cancer cells
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) belongs to the ErbB family of receptor tyrosine kinases and plays an essential role in cell differentiation, migration, proliferation, and metabolism. Alterations in EGFR signalling were found in a number of cancers like lung, breast, colorectal cancer and gliomas, shown to be more aggressive and …
Characterization of Spirulina microalgae as a new alternative food source
A reduction in agricultural productivity associated with water scarcity and land degradation, combined with the growing world population and malnutrition highlights the need for new alternative food sources. In this challenging field, Spirulina microalgae emerges as a promising candidate thanks to its high nutritional value and beneficial effect on human …
Unravelling the molecular mechanisms of plant-pathogen interactions in grapevine and potato through functional analysis
Plants are constantly exposed to various environmental stressors. Pathogen infections causing disease can affect economically important crops and impact global food production. To counter disease development and spread, it is imperative that we acquire a thorough knowledge of its pathogenesis, as well as of the mechanisms underlying plant immune response. …
Speciation of ruthenium-based candidate drugs for cancer treatment and copper as a potential biomarker for cancer diagnosis in human serum
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer represents the second leading cause of mortality, with almost 10 million deaths in 2020. A broad spectra of cancer treatments are being developed, among them are metal-based drugs. Consistent with the available data, platinum (Pt)-based chemotherapeutics are still widely used to treat …
Considering autocorrelation in predictive models
Most machine learning, data mining and statistical methods rely on the assumption that the analyzed data are independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.). More specifically, the individual examples included in the training data are assumed to be drawn independently from each other from the same probability distribution. However, cases where this …
Role and significance of cysteine cathepsins in TRAIL induced apoptosis
Apoptosis is an innate mechanism by which a multicellular organisms eliminates unwanted, damaged and potentially harmful cells. During apoptosis inflammation of the surrounding tissues is prevented. Defects in an apoptotic signaling can lead to numerous pathological conditions. Apoptosis is mediated through two main pathways, the extrinsic or the death receptor …
Production and characterization of MHC class II invariant chain complex
Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules are polymorphic cell surface glycoproteins expressed only on the surface of the professional antigen presenting cells and they play a crucial role in the adaptive immune responses. MHC class II molecules undergo a very complex maturation process. They are synthesized in the endoplasmic …
Effect of N-glycosylation on plasma glutamate carboxypeptidase function
Plasma glutamate carboxypeptidase (PGCP) is a metalloproteinase. It is able to hydrolyze dipeptides into free amino acids. The enzyme is involved in the release of hormone thyroxin (T4) from Thyroglobulin (Tg), as suggested by thyroid gland studies. Prediction from the primary structure of human PGCP suggests the presence of five …
Contribution to understanding of the mechanism of amyloid fibril formation and its effects on the cell
The presence of insoluble amyloid aggregates in various human tissues correlates with the development of many human disorders (amyloidoses), including neurodegenerative diseases. Deposition of the aggregated misfolded proteins in the brain, where aggregates can be localized extracellularly or intracellularly, is the main characteristic of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's, prion diseases and …