A lecture by a visiting expert – Dr Luisa Ronga (University of Pau et Pays de l’Adour)

18 10 2022

On the 27th of October, 2022, an open lecture titled “Mass spectrometry investigation of peptide and protein metallation: recent advances in the field of metallodrugs and heavy metals reactivity”, will be given by Dr Luisa Ronga from the University of Pau et Pays de l’Adour (Pau, France).

The lecture concerns the application of high-resolution mass spectrometry in the comparative analysis of the reactivity of cysteine- and selenocysteine-containing peptides and proteins, in the presence of mercury and gold compounds. Selenocysteine, which is the strongest intracellular soft Lewis base, is able to bind electron-poor, soft acids. Given the strength of Se-metal binding, a hypothesis has been experimentally confirmed that relatively few selenium-containing proteins are preferential and likely targets for soft Lewis acids; this includes mercury, as well as those pharmacologically-active substances which contain metals.

Dr Luisa Ronga obtained her PhD in chemistry in 2008, as part of an Italian-French project between two universities: the University of Naples and the University of Montpellier. She carried out her postdoctoral training at the University of Montreal, Canada. From 2009 to 2012, she was head of research and development at Genepep Biothech in Montpellier. She then took up the position of assistant professor at the University of Bordeaux, and has worked at the University of Pau et Pays de l’Adour since 2016. Dr Luisa Ronga’s research focuses on the chemistry of biomolecules (heterocycles, peptidomimetics, peptides and proteins) from their design, synthesis, and characterisation to the study of their conformation, and biological and therapeutic activity. She currently works on the application of high-resolution mass spectrometry to study the reactivity of thiol- and selenol-containing peptides and proteins with metals. Her research is carried out at the Institute of Analytical Sciences for the Environment and Materials (IPREM), CNRS-UPPA in Pau (France).

The lecture is part of an expert visit within the framework of Action I.1.1/IV.1.1 “Mentor Programme”, “Excellence Initiative – Research University” (IDUB) Programme. The visit is taking place at the invitation of Prof. dr hab. Ewa Bulska from the Analytical Chemistry Expert Centre at the Biological and Chemical Research Centre UW.

Please join us on the 27th of October, 2022, at 9.00 a.m.
in Hall C of the University of Warsaw Biological and Chemical Research Centre (CNBCh UW)