Protein family evolution
Tracing protein diversification
Visualizing relationships between sequence divergence, domain architecture and structural conservation.
Protein Structure and Evolution Laboratory
About
The LEEP research groups are part of the Center for Research on the Biology of Bacteria and Bacteriophages (CEPID B3), a multidisciplinary network at the University of São Paulo dedicated to understanding the molecular mechanisms that govern the behavior of bacteria and bacteriophages.
Our work integrates experimental and computational approaches to understand how protein structure, function and evolution interact in complex biological systems.
Research
Research projects developed across LEEP connect comparative genomics, protein evolution, structural biology, bacterial signaling and microbial molecular systems.
Robson Francisco de Souza · Protein Evolution & Comparative Genomics
Comparative analyses to investigate the evolutionary history, origin and functional diversification of genes and proteins across organisms.
Protein family evolution
Visualizing relationships between sequence divergence, domain architecture and structural conservation.
Comparative genomics
Comparing genomic context to identify conserved modules, rearrangements and functional associations.
Unknown proteins
Connecting poorly characterized genes to domains, structures and predicted biological roles.
Protein Structure and Evolution Laboratory - Structural Biology
Structural and functional studies of proteins involved in bacterial second messenger signaling, motility and secretion-system biology.
Second messenger signaling
Structural views of bacterial signaling proteins and ligand-regulated molecular mechanisms.
Domain regulation
Domain-level interpretation of cyclic nucleotide sensing and enzymatic regulation.
Motility
Connecting molecular structure to motility-associated processes in Leptospira.
Secretion systems
Structural modeling of proteins from the secretion-system gene cluster and their interactions.
Contact
The LEEP laboratories are located at the Institute of Biomedical Sciences of the University of São Paulo. The two research groups share the same institutional address and integrate structural biology, bioinformatics and protein evolution.
Research Groups
The LEEP environment is composed of two complementary laboratories that connect structural biology, bioinformatics and molecular evolution.
Lead: Cristiane R. G. Carvalho
This laboratory investigates the structure and function of bacterial proteins, with emphasis on c-di-GMP-mediated signaling networks and secretory systems. It also develops rational protein design strategies with applications in diagnostics and biotechnology.
Contact: +55 (11) 3091-7298 / +55 (11) 3091-7448 / +55 (11) 94083-7317
Email: crisguzzo@usp.br
Lead: Robson Francisco de Souza
This laboratory uses bioinformatics and comparative genomics approaches to investigate the evolution of proteins and genomes, identifying patterns of conservation, adaptation and molecular innovation across biological systems.
Joint Initiatives
Collaborative work developed jointly by the laboratories and connected research activities.
Research network
Joint activities connected to the Center for Research on the Biology of Bacteria and Bacteriophages, integrating multidisciplinary research across the LEEP environment.
Synthetic biology
Collaborative initiatives related to education, synthetic biology and interdisciplinary scientific development, with shared participation across the laboratories.
The integration of structural biology and molecular evolution connects protein structure, function and adaptation, contributing to advances in microbiology, biotechnology and health.