Bujnicki lab - Wiecej Dobrej Nauki_EN
  • RNA has recently emerged as an attractive target for new drug development. Our team is developing new methods to study the interactions between RNA and ligands. Recently, we have developed a new machine learning method called AnnapuRNA to predict how small chemical molecules interact with structured RNA molecules. Research published in PLoS Comput Biol. 2021 Feb 1;17(2):e1008309. doi: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1008309. Read More
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About Laboratory Of Bioinformatics And Protein Engineering

Our group is involved in theoretical and experimental research on nucleic acids and proteins. The current focus is on RNA sequence-structure-function relationships (in particular 3D modeling), RNA-protein complexes, and enzymes acting on RNA.
 
We study the rules that govern the sequence-structure-function relationships in proteins and nucleic acids and use the acquired knowledge to predict structures and functions for uncharacterized gene products, to alter the known structures and functions of proteins and RNAs and to engineer molecules with new properties.
 
Our key strength is in the integration of various types of theoretical and experimental analyses. We develop and use computer programs for modeling of protein three-dimensional structures based on heterogenous, low-resolution, noisy and ambivalent experimental data. We are also involved in genome-scale phylogenetic analyses, with the focus on identification of proteins that belong to particular families. Subsequently, we characterize experimentally the function of the most interesting new genes/proteins identified by bioinformatics. We also use theoretical predictions to guide protein engineering, using rational and random approaches. Our ultimate goal is to identify complete sets of enzymes involved in particular metabolic pathways (e.g. RNA modification, DNA repair) and to design proteins with new properties, in particular enzymes with new useful functions, which have not been observed in the nature.
 
We are well-equipped with respect to both theoretical and experimental analyses. Our lab offers excellent environment for training of young researchers in both bioinformatics and molecular biology/biochemistry of protein-nucleic acid interactions.


More Good Science

Prof. Bujnicki’s action specifically targets inexperienced scientists, whose applications for funding of scientific projects have been denied with critical reviews and who have problems with addressing that criticism. The main idea is to identify projects based on good ideas, which were underappreciated, and provide help of experts to support the authors towards the development of better grant applications. Prof. Bujnicki promised to carry out this project during the 'Poles with verve' national plebiscite.

'More Good Science' action consists of three stages:
1. Meetings in small and medium-sized academic centers in Poland (in February and the first half of March 2014). Prof. Bujnicki intends to introduce basic rules and “dos and don’ts” pertinent to grant applications, in particular with respect to basic research and grant programs offered by the Polish National Science Centre to junior and mid-career scientists. Currently, preliminary arrangements are being made for visits in Częstochowa, Siedlce, Szczecin, Olsztyn, and Białystok.

2. Workshops/consultations in Warsaw (in the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology), during which the participants will discuss their (previously  unsuccessful) grant applications and reviews with experts in their fields, namely scientists with significant experience in writing and evaluating grant applications in Poland. This stage will take place in April/May, with the intention to finalize the work on improvement of grant proposals e.g. for the National Science Centre within Preludium, Sonata and Opus recruitment contest, which will last till 17 June 2014.
Workshops recruitment will be conducted online via Prof. Bujnicki’s laboratory website, on the basis of grant application summary and information about its assessment. The details of recruitment will be announced after the completion of the first stage of the projects (local meetings).

3. Potential second series of consultations, following the evaluation of proposals submitted in stage 2 (as many of these are expected not to be funded despite the authors’ work towards improvement).

More information (in Polish)