Pharmaceutical Biochemistry
Mission
Our research focuses on molecular recognition for a better understanding of ligand-macromolecule interactions in order to develop new therapeutic strategies including new chemical entities and new targets, using an interdisciplinary approach based on the combination of biochemistry/biophysics and chemistry with computational chemistry/molecular modelling.
The research in the field of pharmaceutical biochemistry/chemistry covers three main topics, namely Cancer, Neglected Diseases, Rare Diseases and Antibiotics Research.
- In Cancer Research we have two main objectives, namely the development of a thymidine kinase based safety and monitoring tool for stem cells therapy and the development of inhibitors of the tyrosine kinase domain of oncogenic fusion proteins involved in signalling pathways.
- Within the research area of Neglected Diseases and Rare Diseases we aim at elucidating and validating new potential drug targets for developing therapeutic strategies against orphan diseases e.g. dystrophy/SMA and the major parasitic diseases of the Third World e.g. Malaria, Tripanosomiasis and Leishmaniosis as well as finding potential lead compounds against such diseases.
- Within the area of Antibiotic Research the objective is to find compounds inhibiting bacterial virulence with novel mechanisms of action.
Research Technologies and competences
Research projects
Cancer / inflammation
- Targeting HIF-2a in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma with PROTACs
- Hit-to-lead cancer immunotherapy drug discovery of adenosine 2A receptor inhibiting small molecules
- Inhibitory therapeutics for treatment of autoimmune disorders
- Scaffolds for Alternative Delivery (SADEL) for IBD and oncofitin’s platform
- Computer-assisted drug discovery for new cancer drugs
Neglected diseases
- Identifying and developing new therapeutic concepts for the treatment of neglected diseases
Rare diseases
- Targeting RNA stem-loop structure linked to rare diseases e.g SMN2 (SMA) or LMNA (progeria)
- Repurposing drugs in fatal inherited muscular disorders
- Exploring the role of CEMIP axis in alport syndrome
Antibiotics / microbiome
- Building a personalized therapeutic framework around Short Chain Fatty Acid production through dietary fibre supplementation