- The potential of novel macroyclzation strategies was explored focusing on the use of ring-closing alkyne metathesis for the stabilization of an irregular peptide secondary structure. (publication: Cromm et al. ChemBioChem, 2016).
- Contribution of flexibilty of the bound ligand to target binding was investigated. (Colaboration partner: Christoph Rademacher, MPI Potsdam; publicaiton: Glas et al. Chem. Eur. J. 2017).
- We investigated the potential of computational approaches for the affintiy maturation of macrocyclic peptide ligands. (Colaboration parnter: Sven Hennig, VU Amsterdam; Oliver Koch, TU Dortmund; publication: Krüger et al. J. Med. Chem. 2017).
- We developed a stapled peptide inhibitor that targets the interaction between b-catenin and T cell factor/lymphoid enhancer-binding factor transcription factors, which are crucially involved in Wnt signaling. (collaboration partners: Trevor C. Dale, Cardiff University; Stefan Heinrichs, Uniklinikum Essen; Dennis Schade, University Greifswald; Tanja Bange, MPI Dortmund; publication: Dietrich et al. Cell Chem. Biol. 2017)
- We developt a strategy for the stabilization of protein tertiary structures (Pelay-Gimeno et al. Angewandte Chemie 2018).
- We analyzed the protein-RNA structures and developed a tool for the prediction of hotspots in the corresponding interfaces (publication: Krüger et al. RNA 2018).
- In collaboration with the groups of Janusz Bujnicki, Roland Brock and Stefan Heinrichs cell-permeable RNA-targeting proteomimetics were developed (publication: Kuepper et. al. Nucleic Acids Res. 2021)
- Selective inhibitors of the oncogenic Wnt signalling pathway were developed and characterised (publication: Wendt et al. Angewandte Chemie 2021)
--> The project has resulted in two ERC proof-of-concept grants and the formation of a spin-off company
