[SCAN] Bioorganic Chemistry

Scan Seminar

Title: Bioorganic Chemistry

Speaker: Rita Ventura

From: Bioorganic Chemistry Lab, ITQB

Abstract:

Our research uses the principles and techniques of organic chemistry to solve problems of relevance to biology.

Recent projects ongoing in our group will be highlighted.

Most enzymes do not contain a metal and their mode of action is essentially organocatalytic. This concept is now being used for the synthesis of a wide range of compounds and can be utilised for the construction of enantiopure complex organic molecules. Our studies in this area will be presented, namely the synthesis and testing of new organocatalysts. 


We have been collaborating with the Bacterial Signaling group in the synthesis of AI-2, a quorum sensing autoinducer, well known for its ability to mediate inter-species communication regulating important bacterial group behaviors. Our strategy also permits the synthesis of a variety of analogues, that can modulate the quorum sensing behaviour of bacteria, especially important in the case of pathogenic bacteria. A good DPD antagonist could lead to the development of new therapies to control bacterial infections as an alternative to antibiotics, among other applications.

The glycosylation reaction is still a major challenge in carbohydrate chemistry. We will present our recent studies for the improvement on the stereoselectivity of this key reaction for the construction of more complex saccharides. Examples are 1) the design and synthesis of new chemical probes for the identification of specific glycosyltransferases from Trypanosoma brucei, as new drug targets for the treatment of African trypanosomiasis; 2) the structure elucidation of methylglucose lipopolysaccharide (MGLP) and the synthesis of intermediate saccharides for characterisation of new enzymes involved in the construction of rare intracellular polymethylated polysacharides in Micobacteria.