The Biotechnology Study Program, Graduate School of Universitas Gadjah Mada, held an online Guest Lecture titled “Protein Degraders: New Insights and Twists of Molecular Mechanism and Drug Design” featuring Prof. Alessio Ciulli FRS FRSE FRSC, a leading chemical structural biologist from the University of Dundee. The event took place via Zoom Meeting on Tuesday, 25 November 2025 at 20.00 WIB.
Prof. Ciulli presented recent advances in PORTAC (PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras), a cutting-edge technology that directs disease-related proteins for degradation through the ubiquitin–proteasome system. PORTAC offers major advantages over traditional inhibitors, including the ability to target undruggable proteins and provide more sustained therapeutic effects.
He highlighted the mechanism of ternary complex formation, design challenges for next-generation degraders, and the expanding potential of PORTAC in cancer therapy and degenerative disease research.
This event provided Indonesian researchers and students with valuable insights into modern targeted protein degradation strategies and strengthened UGM’s commitment to advancing molecular drug design research.