BioElectroLab

University of Florence

The laboratory has a strong know-how in the formation, characterization and use of self-assembled lipid films supported by metal electrodes, which are employed as models of a biological membrane (biomimetic membranes). These systems are now extensively employed to study peptides and membrane proteins and their interaction with drugs and other proteins. The electrical measurements are combined with biochemical and spectroscopic techniques. The research carried out by the laboratory includes:
  • development of experimental methods for the formation and characterization of biomimetic membranes (phospholipid monolayers, tethered bilayers, hybrid bilayers, micro-BLMs);
  • electrochemistry of compounds of biological interest and peptides incorporated in biomimetic membranes;
  • study of membrane proteins in model systems (e.g. bacteriorhodopsin, Na,K-ATPase, Ca-ATPase, Cu-ATPase);
  • study of the interaction between drugs and membrane proteins by electrical and optical methods.

RESEARCH

news on research...

Our last paper is in press in The Journal of Biological Chemistry and concerns the study of the particular inhibition mechanism of a new synthetic compound on the membrane transporter SERCA.

See all publications

EDUCATIONAL

info for students

At the Educational page students can find information about:

  • Courses
  • Lectures schedule
  • 'Physical-chemistry of proteins' course
  • 'Environmental chemistry' course
  • Other courses
  • Laboratories
  • Examinations