Lucia Banci
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lucia Banci | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Born | 20 May 1954 |
| Alma mater | University of Florence |
| Scientific career | |
| Institutions | University of Florence |
| Thesis | (1978) |
Lucia Banci (born 20 May 1954) is an Italian chemist who is a professor at the University of Florence. Her research considers structural biology and biological nuclear magnetic resonance, with a focus on the role of metal ions in biological systems.
Banci was an undergraduate student at the University of Florence. Her interest in magnetic resonance spectroscopy started with electron paramagnetic resonance, which can be used to study molecules that contain unpaired electrons.[1] Banci remained at the University of Florence for postdoctoral research, and received tenure in 1983.[citation needed]
Research and career
Banci has studied the role of metal ions in biological processes.[2] She extensively developed nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy for biological systems, and made use of it to better design and optimise vaccines.[2] She founded the Centro Risonanze Magnetiche (CERM), a magnetic resonance centre in Italy,[2] where she studies globular proteins.[3] Her research resulted in the development of the Meningococcal vaccine.[2]
In 2020, Banci oversaw the installation of the world's first 1.2 GHz nuclear magnetic resonance system.[3] The ultra-high field system can provide information on intrinsically disordered proteins.[3] The instrument makes use of low-temperature superconductors – high-temperature superconductors hybrid magnet technologies.[2] During the COVID-19 pandemic, Banci used nuclear magnetic resonance to determine the structure of SARS-CoV-2 and how it could be treated with medicine.[4][5]
