Research

One of the major focal points of the DKFZ research group is diagnostics and drug innovation. This involves a synergy of many complementary expertises, as highlighted: bridging molecules for molecular imaging and therapeutics at the same level’. Within the range of required expertises, biologic chemistry is of crucial importance. A fundamental characteristic of biologic chemistry is design, chemical synthesis, and the re-formulation of “old fashioned” active compounds for study and intervention of biological processes including those related to genetic diseases. By aiming at the integration of the principles of chemistry and biology, biologic chemistry will also offer new approaches for the development and of novel materials, applications and devices (e.g. nanosurfaces useful in the nanomedicine).

Our aim is to perform top quality research in biologic chemistry with an important focus on pharmaceutical and biomedical targets. Inspired by medicinal relevant questions molecular approaches will be developed leading to the design and generation of highly specific active compounds as well as imaging molecules appropriate for personalized multimodal approaches.

A further crucial aspect of the chemical biology group’s program aims the synthesis of pharmacologic-active compounds for the transcription control and monitoring at the molecular level. The availability of designed and constructed compounds will enable the use of all conceivable biophysical techniques (high field MRT, CT, PET, NIF imaging) to monitor the molecular processes in a relevant pharmacological context.

This include new drug formulations, drug delivery vehicles, target cell and tissue specific delivery, subcellular targeting, and intracellular contrast agents, in the rapid increasing field of theranostics.

The required molecular approaches would rely on strategies and input from synthetic chemistry especially organic synthesis using the Diels-Alder-technology with inverse electron demand. This ligation chemistry methodology is pivotal for the development of new synthetic strategies to obtain new molecules, new molecular building blocks and new drug & diagnostics strategies like bi- and tri-modal diagnostic and therapeutic approaches at the identical molecular level. They may, for example lead to the development of reformulated drugs harbouring newly promising properties like a better therapeutic index and simultaneously reduced adverse reactions.