We highlight the BIOTECH2026 conference - Frontiers in Italian Biotechnology
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The laboratory
All biological processes, from gene transcription to cellular metabolism, depend on the coordinated activity of molecular machines—proteins, enzymes, and nucleic acids operating with exquisite precision. Structural biology provides the tools to observe these molecules at atomic resolution, revealing how their three-dimensional shapes govern function, regulation, and molecular interactions. By visualizing biomolecules in action, we uncover fundamental principles of life and create new opportunities for biomedical and biotechnological innovation.
Through an integrated and multidisciplinary strategy, the Nardini laboratory seeks to decipher the molecular mechanisms that drives biological systems, transforming structural knowledge into deeper insight into health, disease, and technology.
The laboratory’s research is centered on X-ray crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), and advanced biophysical methods, complemented by computational modeling, molecular dynamics, and docking simulations. These techniques are supported by medium-throughput platforms for protein production and by thorough biochemical and biophysical characterization.
Current research activities focus on proteins and enzymes—including flavoenzymes, hemoproteins, and cold-adapted proteins—as well as DNA–protein assemblies such as transcription factors. This work addresses both fundamental biological mechanisms and applied challenges in biomedicine and biotechnology, with a particular emphasis on protein function, inhibitory mechanisms, and structure-guided drug discovery.