NMR spectroscopy: a useful tool for drugs development and monitoring biological reactions

Background of my doctoral PhD program is primarily based on the use of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) as a versatile tool that can be applied for several biological purposes. During the early years of my PhD, I mainly used proton detection nuclear magnetic resonance techniques (1H-NMR) for the identification and characterization of molecules that can act as potential drugs. Since, GPCRs are targeted by approximately 45% to 50% of medicinal drugs, I focused my attention on the development and conformational analysis of peptides modulating a few of these receptors bringing to different therapeutic effects. During the last period of my PhD, I used NMR spectroscopy techniques based on 15N and/or 13C detection. Techniques suitable to study much larger systems as whole proteins. I applied in-cell, in extracts and in vitro NMR spectroscopy techniques to study and monitor in a qualitative and quantitative manner biological reactions that can occur on a protein into a biological environment. In particular, I studied the intracellular fate of oxidized ??synucein molecules.