Prof. C. Held Gotfredsen: "NMR in Chemical Biology"

Das Institut für Organische Chemie lädt ein zum Vortrag von:

Prof. Dr. Charlotte Held Gotfredsen, Technical University of Denmark, Head of NMR Center DTU

mit dem Titel: "NMR in Chemical Biology" 

Abstract:

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a cornerstone technique in chemical biology, offering unparalleled insights into molecular structure and dynamics. This lecture will present some of our current research in the area, with focus on two main topics.

1. Natural products in drug discovery.

Nature provides a rich source of novel structurally diverse scaffolds that inspire new therapeutics. We employ different approaches such a bioassay-guided isolation combined with MS and NMR to identify, and structure elucidate novel natural products and their biosynthetic pathways.  

2. RNA as a therapeutic target.

RNA has emerged as a therapeutic target and regulator in gene expression and disease understanding. Our research focuses on RNA riboswitches – dynamic RNA structures whose function can be impacted through interactions with small-molecule ligands or ions. Using proton and fluorine NMR-based screening, we explore ligand interactions and structural dynamics. The NMR-based screening approach is similar to the one used for protein targets previously in the group, screening fluorine fragment libraries. These are projects with many national and international collaborators.

Common for several projects is the exploration of fluorine (¹⁹F) NMR, if time permits new research projects of using NMR in PFAS detection will also be discussed.

The lecture will highlight how NMR continues to transform chemical biology and therapeutic research.