Molecular Modeling Laboratory
The Modeling and Simulating in Medical Sciences (MSMS) Group was established at the Research Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism in 2009, and its laboratory was launched in 2010. This group has consistently focused on designing and conducting interdisciplinary research projects. While these projects primarily revolve around topics related to endocrinology, they also consider other subjects connected to medical and biological sciences.
The group's activities are mainly centered on theoretical studies (i.e., molecular modeling) of proteins and enzymes, along with related in vitro practical experiments. However, we have also participated in collaborative projects that include in vivo studies.
To date, the group has maintained close collaboration with other laboratories at Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) and the University of Tehran for conducting in vitro experiments. In vivo studies typically follow the results of in vitro studies or theoretical research that requires investigation on more complex models. In this regard, we have collaborated with academic groups that have access to animal research laboratories and specialists in this field.
Currently, the group's research projects encompass theoretical studies on pathogenic mutations of proteins and in vitro, in vivo, and in silico studies on protein aggregation (including amyloid and amorphous aggregation). Several master's and doctoral students from various fields, including biochemistry, biophysics, physical chemistry, pharmaceutical biotechnology, physiology, and cellular-molecular biology, are collaborating or have collaborated with the group.
In recent years, to enhance educational activities, the group has organized workshops on molecular modeling (structural bioinformatics), which include both theoretical and practical components.