Aim

Our aim is to develope a better understanding how natural and synthetic ligands recognize RNA. RNA is central to process genetic information and is crucial for catalytic and regulatory processes within a cell. Ligands in our understanding are molecules that bind and are thus able to modulate the functions of the bound target. Here we understand as ligands such diverse substances as proteins, nucleic acids and natural as well as synthetic molecules and ions. The biological groups within the collaborative research centre are characterizing the relevant RNA-protein interactions in the cell. In the centre of the chemical interest is the search for potential drugs or lead compounds which are able to modulate defined biological functions as well as the description of structure and dynamics of RNA-ligand-complexes. The combined efforts are directed towards developing strategies fo find tailormade ligand-molecules for defined RNA-structures. These should be able to block the proliferation of viruses or bacteria in a specific fashion. Here we synthesize and characterize active compound libraries as well as RNA-ligand complexes. Thus it should be possible in special cases like virus replication to obtain defined lead compounds. Finally the collaborative research centre should contribute to the molecular understanding of RNA and deliver a scientific basis for the future design of specific ligands. To achieve lead compounds in exemplary cases like inhibition of virus replication a multidisciplinary team has been established consisting of chemists, biologist, pharmacists and researchers from experimental medicine.

geändert am 04. Dezember 2007  E-Mail: Webmasterfulle@bioinformatik.uni-frankfurt.de