PhD FELLOW # 2

ANDREA BORGONOVO

WP1: TOOLS FOR NON-CANONICAL AMINO ACIDS INCORPORATION

NEW TOOLS FOR THE SITE-SELECTIVE RIBOSOMAL TRANSLATION OF NON-CANONICAL AMINO ACIDS CONTAINING SI-GROUPS AND TERTIARY AMINES

 

Biography

I obtained my bachelor’s degree in chemistry at the University of Milan under the supervision of Associate Professor Silvia Cauteruccio. I then completed my master’s in Organic Chemistry at the University of Copenhagen with Associate Professor Joseph M. Rogers. Throughout my academic journey, I developed a keen interest in the mechanisms through which small molecules produce effects in living organisms, leading me to transition from organic chemistry to biochemistry and biotechnology. Pursuing a PhD was the natural next step to dive deeper into the field.

Tell us a bit about your PhD project

The research at the centre of my PhD is the development of enzymes able to introduce in protein exotic, never seen before, non canonical amino acids. Achieving a collection of enzymes able to do so would allow research to step in an unknown field that could give answers to intractable problems. This could lead to breakthroughs in targeting previously undruggable diseases or creating more cost-effective catalysts for industrial applications, tackling the current demanding energetic consumption.

My project specifically focuses on the computational design and the in vivo synthesis of mutated enzymes called aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, which, in conjunction with tRNA molecules, can incorporate non-canonical amino acids containing silicon and tertiary amines.

Tell us about your research interests – what do you expect from the consortium

I am inherently curious, with a primary interest in the lesser-known aspects of biochemistry. Research, to me, is akin to exploring and scouting new territories. I am particularly motivated by interdisciplinary projects, and the Marie Curie-funded Biocatcode Expander project promises extensive collaborations that align perfectly with my mindset.

Hobbies

I do find beauty in many things. I find literature, languages and sports the needed picklocks to access different cultures and understand our surroundings. I read quite a bit, generally classics. I have a soft spot for Russian literature and Homer’s poems.
I train regularly combat sport such as mma and during weekends, I tend to explore my natural and urban surroundings biking, hiking and climbing. Summertime is sea time.

Favorite book

“Crime and Punishment” by Dostoevskij

Favorite meal 

Bruschette. I’m a simple man.

Favorite film

“Revenge of the sith” and “La leggenda di Al, john e Jack”.

Favorite TV serie

The Terror, 1st season.

Favorite city

Gassin

at what Harry Potter house do you belong?

100% accurate scientific test result in a perfectly balanced combination of Slytherin, Ravenclaw and Gryffindor. I fear no one.

PyMOL or Chimera?

Always used PyMOl and I like the command line and the python shell, but Chimera has quite a cool name, I guess.

Organization

Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology, Austria

Doctoral Supervisor

Dr. Birgit Wiltschi

Enrolment in Doctoral degree

University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU)

Secondments

At TU Graz (Graz, Austria) with Dr. Gustav Oberdorfer & LenioBio GmbH (Dusseldorf, Germany) with Dr. Ricarda Finnern

Objectives

• Molecular docking and molecular design to identify mutation hotspots 
• Generation of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases gene libraries
• Validation of the new orthogonal pairs for the site specific incorporation of desired non-canonical amino acids

 

Fields related to the project

(1) Synthetic biology
(2) Computational biology
(3) Biochemistry