The synthesis and the design of complex molecular scaffolds with defined properties present central challenges in current chemical research. Such molecules can provide access to novel therapeutics, catalysts and materials. Often, it is essential for these scaffolds to adopt defined three-dimensional structures. Preferably, the degree of flexibility in these systems can be fine-tuned in a defined and controllable manner. The folding properties of peptides and proteins provide an excellent basis for the design of molecules with defined structural properties, in particular when combined with non-natural small molecular scaffolds. The research of the Grossmann lab centers around the synthesis of peptide-derived molecules and the engineering of proteins using organic chemistry approaches. The lecture will highlight design principles and synthetic strategies that enable the conformational control of relatively small and flexible peptidomimetics[1,2] as well as large and globular enzymes.[3] In addition, reversible constraints that allow the design of peptide-based molecular switches[4] will be presented.
References:
[1] A Glas et al. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2014, 53, 2489–2493
[2] P Cromm et al. Nature Commun. 2016, 7, 11300.
[3] M Pelay-Gimeno et al. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2018, 57, 11164-11170.
[4] C Mueller et al. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2018, 57, 17079-17083
