Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

This program could provide understanding of the structural basis for the different cellular responses, metabolic and mitogenic, generated by insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), respectively. Student will explore the recombinant or chemical preparation IGF-1 analogues or other proteins altogether with biological and physicochemical characterization of analogues. This effort could also result in IGF-1-receptor selective agonists or antagonists. Such IGF-1 derivatives could find applications in treatment of growth disorders or cancer.