Laboratory of Protein Engineering

phone: +48 22 60 86 501

Head
Izabela Sabała, PhD - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Assistant professors:
Elżbieta Jagielska, PhD - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Justyna Czarnecka, PhD - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Magdalena Kaus-Drobek, PhD - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Assistants:
Marzena Nowacka, PhD, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Specialists:
Małgorzata Korzeniowska, PhD - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Michał Zaród, MSc - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Krzysztof Wardak, MSc – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Research topics of the Laboratory of Protein Engineering:
Our team is focused on discovery of new bacteriolytic enzymes and studies of their structure, specificity and stability, in order to develop novel non-antibiotic antibacterial agents of wide range of applications in medicine, veterinary and industry. The enzymes selectively and efficiently eliminate pathogenic bacteria, including those which are antibiotic resistant, and may serve as modern agents for surface disinfection, diagnostic kits components and antimicrobials for human and animal therapy. Structural and physiological basic studies on regulation of enzymes activity allow for precise protein engineering and fine tune of them to specific applications and final products demands.

Current projects:

OPUS 26: LytM autolysin activation as a potential strategy for antibacterial drugs development. UMO/2023/51/B/NZ1/01552, dr hab. Izabela Sabała, 2024 – 2027.

AuresineR - more information

Completed projects:

PrevEco
Project title: “OneHealth approach to sustainable prevention and treatment of infectious diseases”
Project no.: NOR/POLNOR/PrevEco/0021/2019, supported by Norway grants in POLNOR2019“Applied Research” programme
Project duration: 01.01.2021 – 30.04.2024
Principal Investigator: Izabela Sabała, PhD, the head of Laboratory of Protein Engineering, MMRI

• SafeFoodCtrl:
Project title: “Sustainable and safe food production by novel control strategies of bacteria in the food chain” (SafeFoodCtrl).
Project no.: NOR/POLNOR/SafeFoodCtrl/0034/2019, supported by Norway grants in POLNOR2019“Applied Research” programme.
Project duration: 01.01.2021 – 30.04.2024
Principal Investigator: Elżbieta Jagielska, PhD, Laboratory of Protein Engineering, MMRI

• MolSpec (in IIMCB): Molecular basis of enzyme specificity and applications - NAWA
Program: International Academic Partnerships.
Project no.: PPI/APM/2018/1/00034/U/001

• Infectless: New generation of antimicrobial dressing - Foundation for Polish Science, program TEAMTECH, od 2017 r. do 2020 r., Project leader: dr hab. Izabela Sabała.
• Auresine: Biotechnological applications of bacteriolytic protein (PBS1 / A8 / 8/2012), National Centre for Research and Development. Project implementation period from 2013 to 2016. Project leader: dr Izabela Sabała
• Enzymatic bacteriolytic chimeras: program: SKILLS, Foundation for Polish Science. Project implementation period from 2014 to 2015. Project leader: dr Izabela Sabała;
• Market analysis for implementation of Auresine, enzyme in skin care products against acne, Quest for Commercialization, IIMCB. Project implementation period from 2017 to 2018. Project leader: dr Izabela Sabała
• Optimization and scaling up of low cost Auresine production, Quest for Commercialization, IIMCB. Project implementation period from 2017 to 2018. Project leader: dr. Elżbieta Jagielska
• Auresine trademark registration and its graphic identity designing, Quest
for Commercialization, IIMCB. Project implementation period from 2017 to 2018. Project leader: dr Elżbieta Jagielska
• Effect of surface charge on the activity of new peptidoglycan hydrolases from the species Staphylococcus pettenkoferi Miniatura 1, National Science Centre. Project implementation period from 2017 to 2018. Project leader: dr Elżbieta Jagielska
• Intellectual property protection and commercialization of invention with application
in protection of food and people from S. aureus bacteria (POiG: 1.3.2.). Project implementation period from 2011 to 2015. Project leader: dr Izabela Sabała

International collaboration:

  • Medical University of Warsaw – dr hab. Joanna Stefańska;Warsaw University of Life Sciences - prof. Beata Kuczyńska;
  • University of Warsaw – dr Marta Zapotoczna;
  • Institute of Fundamental Technological Research PAS - dr Filippo Pierini, dr Paweł Nakielski, dr Olga Urbanek;
  • Trinity Collage Dublin - dr Joan Geoghegan;
  • University NOVA Lisboa – prof. Sergio Filippe;
  • Tubingen University – prof. Andreas Peschel;
  • Norwegian University of Life Sciences – dr Morten Kjos; dr Davide Porcelatto
  • Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research – dr Bastian Christ, dr Joern Probst;
  • University of Sheffield - dr Stefan Mesnage, prof. Mike Williamson;
  • NOFIMA – dr Even Hier, dr Trond Moretro;
  • TINE SA – dr Havard Norstebo
  • VESO – dr Marie Lovoll

Selected publications:

  • Wysocka A, Łężniak Ł, Jagielska E, Sabała I. Electrostatic Interaction with the Bacterial Cell Envelope Tunes the Lytic Activity of Two Novel Peptidoglycan Hydrolases. Microbiol Spectr. 2022 Jun 29;10(3):e0045522. doi: 10.1128/spectrum.00455-22. Epub 2022 Apr 25. PMID: 35467396; PMCID: PMC9241647.
  • Razew A, Schwarz JN, Mitkowski P, Sabala I, Kaus-Drobek M. One fold, many functions-M23 family of peptidoglycan hydrolases. Front Microbiol. 2022 Oct 21;13:1036964. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1036964. PMID: 36386627; PMCID: PMC9662197.
  • Razew A, Laguri C, Vallet A, Bougault C, Kaus-Drobek M, Sabala I, Simorre JP. Staphylococcus aureus sacculus mediates activities of M23 hydrolases. Nat Commun. 2023 Oct 23;14(1):6706. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-42506-w. PMID: 37872144; PMCID: PMC10593780.
  • Mitkowski P, Jagielska E, Sabała I. Engineering of chimeric enzymes with expanded tolerance to ionic strength. Microbiol Spectr. 2024 Jun 4;12(6):e0354623. doi: 10.1128/spectrum.03546-23. Epub 2024 May 2. PMID: 38695664; PMCID: PMC11237380.
  • Wysocka A, Jagielska E, Łężniak Ł, Sabała I. Two New M23 Peptidoglycan Hydrolases With Distinct Net Charge. Front Microbiol. 2021 Sep 24;12:719689. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.719689. PMID: 34630350; PMCID: PMC8498115.
  • Małecki PH, Mitkowski P, Jagielska E, Trochimiak K, Mesnage S, Sabała I. Structural Characterization of EnpA D,L-Endopeptidase from Enterococcus faecalis Prophage Provides Insights into Substrate Specificity of M23 Peptidases. Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Jul 1;22(13):7136. doi: 10.3390/ijms22137136. PMID: 34281200; PMCID: PMC8269130.
  • Urbanek O, Wysocka A, Nakielski P, Pierini F, Jagielska E, Sabała I. Staphylococcus aureus Specific Electrospun Wound Dressings: Influence of Immobilization Technique on Antibacterial Efficiency of Novel Enzybiotic. Pharmaceutics. 2021 May 13;13(5):711. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13050711. PMID: 34068117; PMCID: PMC8152744.
  • Gonzalez-Delgado LS, Walters-Morgan H, Salamaga B, Robertson AJ, Hounslow AM, Jagielska E, Sabała I, Williamson MP, Lovering AL, Mesnage S. Two-site recognition of Staphylococcus aureus peptidoglycan by lysostaphin SH3b. Nat Chem Biol. 2020; 16(1):24-30; doi: 10.1038/s41589-019-0393-4.
  • Mitkowski P, Jagielska E, Nowak E, Bujnicki JM, Stefaniak F, Niedziałek D, Bochtler M, Sabała I. Structural bases of peptidoglycan recognition by lysostaphin SH3b domain. Sci Rep. 2019; 9(1):5965; doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-42435-z.
  • Jagielska E, Chojnacka O, Sabała I. LytM Fusion with SH3b-Like Domain Expands Its Activity to Physiological Conditions. Microb Drug Resist. 2016 Sep;22(6):461-9; doi: 10.1089/mdr.2016.0053.
  • Grabowska M, Jagielska E, Czapinska H, Bochtler M, Sabala I. High resolution structure of M23 peptidase with substrate analogue. Sci Rep. 2015 Oct 6;5:14833; doi: 10.1038/srep14833.
  • Sabala I, Jagielska E, Bardelang PT, Czapinska H, Dahms SO, Sharpe JA, James R, Than ME, Thomas NR, Bochtler M. Crystal structure of the antimicrobial peptidase lysostaphin from Staphylococcus simulans. FEBS J. 2014 Sep;281(18):4112-22.
  • Sabala I, Jonsson IM, Tarkowski A, Bochtler M. Anti-staphylococcal activities of lysostaphin and LytM catalytic domain. BMC Microbiol. 2012 Jun 6;12:97; doi: 10.1186/1471-2180-12-97.
  • Piano D, El Alaoui S, Korza HJ, Filipek R, Sabala I, Haniewicz P, Buechel C, De Sanctis D, Bochtler M. Crystallization of the photosystem II core complex and its chlorophyll binding subunit CP43 from transplastomic plants of Nicotiana tabacum. Photosynth Res. 2010 Dec;106(3):221-6; doi:10.1007/s11120-010-9597-x.
  • Odintsov SG, Sabala I, Bourenkov G, Rybin V, Bochtler M. Staphylococcus aureus aminopeptidase S is a founding member of a new peptidase clan. J Biol Chem. 2005 Jul 29;280(30):27792-9; doi:10.1074/jbc.M502023200.
  • Odintsov SG, Sabala I, Bourenkov G, Rybin V, Bochtler M. Substrate Access to the Active Sites in Aminopeptidase T, a Representative of a New Metallopeptidase Clan. J Mol Biol. 2005 Nov 25;354(2):403-412; doi:10.1016/j.jmb.2005.09.042.
  • Odintsov SG*, Sabala I*, Marcyjaniak M, Bochtler M. Latent LytM at 1.3A resolution. J Mol Biol. 2004; 335:775-85; doi: 10.1016/j.jmb.2003.11.009. *równoważny współudział
  • Bochtler M, Odintsov SG, Marcyjaniak M, Sabala I. Similar active sites in lysostaphins and D-Ala-D-Ala metallopeptidases. Protein Sci. 2004; 13(4):854-61; doi: 10.1038/srep14833.
  • Marcyjaniak M, Odintsov SG, Sabala I, Bochtler M. Peptidoglycan amidase MepA is a LAS metallopeptidase. J Biol Chem. 2004 Oct 15;279(42):43982-9; doi:10.1074/jbc.M406735200.

Patents and patent applications:
- EP2699254 The method of proteolysis, peptidase, the composition to be used as a bacteriostatic and bactericidal agent, the mixture and the applications of the active form of LytM from S. aureus or derivatives thereof
- PL243303B1, PCT/PL2020/050075, Recombinant polypeptide for use as a medicine, antiseptic agent, antibacterial agent, anti-inflammatory agent, compositions comprising it and uses thereof
- PL 243304B1, PCT/PL2022/050043, Peptidoglycan hydrolase, compositions comprising it, uses thereof and method of hydrolysis employing the same
- P.449074, PCT/PL2024/050045, Rekombinowane białko i peptyd o właściwościach przeciwdrobnoustrojowych, kompozycje je zawierające, zastosowania oraz sposoby je wykorzystujące
- 449075, Rekombinowane białko hydrolazy peptydoglikanowej o właściwościach przeciwbakteryjnych, kompozycje je zawierające, ich zastosowania oraz sposoby je wykorzystujące 
- 449072, PCT/PL2024/050046, Rekombinowane białko i polipeptyd o właściwościach przeciwbakteryjnych, kompozycje je zawierające, zastosowania oraz sposoby je wykorzystujące 
- 449073, Rekombinowane białko o właściwościach przeciwbakteryjnych zawierające aktywną domenę katalityczną CHAP, kompozycje je zawierające, zastosowania oraz sposoby je wykorzystujące 


Prizes and awards:
• "Innovation is a Woman", 2016, award granted by the Women Science Foundation - Polish Women's Science Network for work on the use of bacteriolytic enzymes to fight staphylococci.
• 68th International Trade Fair of Inventions "Ideas - Inventions - New Products" - iENA, Nuremberg, Germany, 2016: Silver medal and special award for the creators of the invention "Aurezyna - new way to combat staphylococcus".
• IMPULS AWARD, 2014, awarded by the Foundation for Polish Science for the development of enzymatic chimeras with new bacteriolytic properties.
• "Bioinnovations 2010" - the best project, Bioinnovation International Summit, Gdynia