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Welcome to the Groupe de Recherche Axé sur la Structure des Protéines (GRASP) website.
GRASP is a research group funded by the Fonds de la Recherche en Santé du Québec (FRSQ) and directed by Dr. Kalle Gehring since its creation in April 2008. GRASP brings together scientists working in various research fields with different but complementary goals. The objective of GRASP is to focus diverse expertise and promote exchanges and collaborations in order to better understand the molecular basis of diseases and to develop new therapies.
GRASP is presently composed of 37 regular members and 19 associate members. The laboratories of 19 regular members are located at McGill University, the other 18 regular members are affiliated with University of Montreal, Concordia University, UQAM, University of Sherbrooke and INRS-Armand Frappier. The administrative center of GRASP is located in the new Bellini building of the McGill University Life Sciences Complex (MULSC).
GRASP strategically positions researchers to make important discoveries and advance knowledge of the role of protein conformation in diseases such as cystic fibrosis, long QT syndrome, Parkinson’s disease and bacterial infections.
This task includes four principles which guide the activity of the group:
1. To develop an outstanding research program in structural biology by focusing the efforts on conformational diseases and bacterial infections
2. To translate the discoveries into benefits for patients
3. To prepare the new generation of scientists by offering training programs in structural biology for students and research trainees
4. To inform the public and clinicians of the importance of basic science for developing new therapies
GRASP has five state-of-the-art equipment facilities:
1. Quebec/Eastern Canada High Field NMR (QANUC)
2. Facility for Electron Cryo-Electron and Cryomicroscopy Tomography (FECCET)
3. Macromolecular X-ray facility
4. Protein-protein interactions analysis
5. High-throughput crystallization
