Giovanna Ghirlanda is a professor of chemistry at Arizona State University. Her research interests are in chemical biology, protein chemistry, and protein engineering. Professor Ghirlanda received a BSc/MSc degree in Medicinal Chemistry and a PhD in Organic Chemistry from the University of Padova, Italy, with a thesis on the redox catalytic properties of supramolecular metallocomplexes.
Prior to joining ASU, she pursued postdoctoral work at the University of Pennsylvania with Professor William F. DeGrado (now at the University of California San Francisco), specializing on de novo design of peptides and proteins. Her research is in the area of chemical biology and focuses on the design of functional proteins. A major thrust is in the area of sustainable fuel production, designing protein-based hybrid metalloenzymes that catalyze hydrogen production and carbon dioxide reduction in mild conditions. Other projects in the lab include the design of antiviral lectins and work on protein folding in WW domains, in collaboration with Professor Banu Ozkan (Physics, ASU).
My group uses de novo design and protein engineering to prepare artificial model proteins that can perform a desired function. The purpose of this effort is twofold: first, by reproducing the main properties and functions of natural proteins in a model system, one can test iteratively hypotheses on the specific contribution of each amino acid to the protein activity; second, once the key principles are elucidated, it will be possible to design novel proteins with activities beyond those of natural proteins. Methods utilized include computational modeling, solid phase synthesis, molecular biology techniques and enzymatic screening.
Current projects in the lab are divided in three main areas:
Artificial metalloproteins for solar to fuel energy conversion
The conversion of solar energy to usable fuel requires the assembly of a specialized chain of reactions, each typically facilitated by a metallic active site. To obtain the necessary spatial organization, we designed a family of peptides that can self assemble into large complexes functionalized with specialized active sites. We are using a variety of artificial amino acid and natural ligands to engineer [Fe4S4] clusters, diiron clusters, and manganese sites in scaffolding peptides. The ultimate goal is to catalyze biomimetic reactions such as water splitting, CO2reduction, and hydrogen production.
Design of membrane proteins
Membrane proteins function as gateways to the cell, and are crucial in a number of processes related to energy transduction and cell signaling. We are interested in learning how to control protein-protein interactions and cofactor binding in the membrane. To that end we have designed a stable, membrane soluble protein that utilizes a metal cofactor, heme, as active site.
Engineering novel glycan-binding proteins
We are using protein engineering and directed protein evolution to design reagents capable of targeting glycans with high affinity and specificity. The ability of attaching sugars to proteins, called glycosylation, is the most ubiquitous post-translational modification in eukaryotic cells. It is known to have a crucial role in many biological processes, including the immune response, inflammation, and the early stages of bacterial and viral infections. Therefore, the development of specific glycan recognition domains has applications both in basic research and in the diagnosis and therapy of diseases. As part of this effort, we have recently discovered the molecular mechanism of action of a potent anti-HIV protein, cyanovirin, paving the way for the design of improved antiviral proteins.
We are members of the EFRC Center for Bio-Inspired Solar Fuel Production (http://solarfuel.clas.asu.edu/ ) and of the Center for Membrane Proteins in Infectious Diseases (MPID, http://cemilinks.asu.edu/mpid/ )
Summer 2022 | |
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Course Number | Course Title |
BDE 792 | Research |
Spring 2022 | |
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Course Number | Course Title |
CHM 433 | Advanced Organic Chemistry I |
CHM 531 | Advanced Organic Chemistry I |
BDE 792 | Research |
BDE 795 | Continuing Registration |
BDE 799 | Dissertation |
Fall 2021 | |
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Course Number | Course Title |
CHM 435 | Medicinal Chemistry |
Summer 2021 | |
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Course Number | Course Title |
BDE 792 | Research |
Spring 2021 | |
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Course Number | Course Title |
CHM 433 | Advanced Organic Chemistry I |
CHM 531 | Advanced Organic Chemistry I |
BDE 792 | Research |
BDE 799 | Dissertation |
Fall 2020 | |
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Course Number | Course Title |
CHM 435 | Medicinal Chemistry |
Summer 2020 | |
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Course Number | Course Title |
CHM 231 | Elementary Organic Chemistry |
CHM 435 | Medicinal Chemistry |
BDE 792 | Research |
Spring 2020 | |
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Course Number | Course Title |
CHM 233 | General Organic Chemistry I |
BDE 792 | Research |
BDE 799 | Dissertation |
Fall 2019 | |
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Course Number | Course Title |
CHM 435 | Medicinal Chemistry |
Summer 2019 | |
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Course Number | Course Title |
CHM 231 | Elementary Organic Chemistry |
Spring 2019 | |
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Course Number | Course Title |
CHM 435 | Medicinal Chemistry |
CHM 591 | Seminar |
BDE 792 | Research |
BDE 799 | Dissertation |
Summer 2018 | |
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Course Number | Course Title |
CHM 231 | Elementary Organic Chemistry |
Spring 2018 | |
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Course Number | Course Title |
CHM 435 | Medicinal Chemistry |
CHM 535 | Medicinal Chemistry |
CHM 591 | Seminar |