Every great scientific story begins with curiosity, and with the courage to imagine that a molecule, a protein, or even a single idea could make a difference in someone’s life.

This same spirit animates the Mutans Team from the University of Padua, a multidisciplinary group of students and professors engaged in synthetic biology research within the framework of the iGEM competition, the world’s leading event dedicated to this field.

From rare disease to programmable protein degradation

For their current iGEM project, the team chose to address Hutchinson–Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS), a rare genetic disorder affecting approximately one child in twenty million and characterized by accelerated aging starting in early childhood.

Progeria is caused by the production and accumulation of progerin, a mutated form of lamin A that disrupts nuclear architecture and progressively impairs cellular function.

The project, named ProgERASE, aims to develop a targeted intracellular degradation system capable of selectively eliminating progerin while preserving normal lamin A.

At the core of the strategy is a modular construct that combines:

  • the RING domain of TRIM21, which activates proteasomal degradation,
  • a computationally designed peptide interactor engineered to specifically bind progerin but not wild-type lamin A,
  • a flexible linker connecting the modules,
  • and a nuclear localization signal to ensure correct intracellular targeting.

 

The goal is precise: to program the cell’s own degradation machinery to recognize and remove the pathogenic protein.

A multilayer experimental validation pipeline

The development of ProgERASE follows a rigorous, stepwise validation strategy:

  • Computational design of peptide interactors using advanced AI-driven tools such as AlphaFold3, RFdiffusion, and Rosetta;
  • In vitro evaluation of binding affinity through MST assays (Monolith X);
  • Yeast-based models to assess progerin toxicity and specific peptide–progerin interaction via Yeast Two-Hybrid systems;
  • Experiments in mammalian cells to verify progerin degradation using fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, and Western blot analysis.

 

This structured pipeline reflects not only scientific ambition, but methodological maturity, a hallmark of research that aims to translate molecular design into measurable biological outcomes.

The role of Diatheva’s reagents within the experimental workflow

Within this framework, the collaboration with Diatheva has contributed two key biomolecules:

  • ANT0046 (Rabbit Anti-Human Cleaved Farnesylated Prelamin A antibody)
  • Recombinant Progerin (REP0051)

 

The antibody ANT0046 played a central role in the experimental phase. Its use enabled the detection of progerin in Western blot analyses, allowing the team to quantify the effectiveness of their degradation system by directly measuring the reduction of the mutant protein. Importantly, this application had not been previously validated, adding further value to its use within the project.

The recombinant progerin, while not yet employed in laboratory experiments, will be essential in upcoming stages. It will allow precise quantification of binding affinity between the designed peptide interactors and progerin through MST assays, further strengthening the biochemical characterization of the system.

More than a technical contribution, this exchange exemplifies how academic research and biotech industry can intersect to accelerate experimental progress.

Beyond the bench: making science more accessible

ProgERASE is not limited to molecular engineering.

In collaboration with the Department of Psychology at the University of Padua, the team also worked on the complexity of scientific language itself. Together, they developed guidelines aimed at restructuring complex scientific texts to improve accessibility for neurodivergent individuals and to promote more inclusive science communication.

This dimension highlights an often-overlooked aspect of research: innovation is not only about molecules and mechanisms, but also about how knowledge is shared and understood.

The project has been awarded a Gold Medal at the iGEM competition, recognizing both its scientific rigor and innovative approach within a highly competitive global context.

Science as a collective endeavor

Biotechnology progresses where collaboration, openness, and shared expertise converge. The interaction between university research and biotech industry creates a dynamic environment where knowledge flows in both directions: students gain exposure to applied research realities, while companies see their tools tested in innovative contexts.

The experience of the Mutans Team and Diatheva illustrates how these synergies can strengthen not only a single project, but a broader ecosystem of scientific growth.

Because in the end, every advance in biotechnology begins with a question, and moves forward through collective effort, precision, and the determination to transform complex challenges into tangible possibilities.