Prof. Brunschweiger

The identification of drug-like small molecules that perturb protein function is often highly challenging, yet required to understand the ligandability and druggability of a given target protein. DNA-encoded libraries (DELs) have emerged very recently as a powerful and sustainable technology for identification of bioactive compounds. Encoded libraries are screened as mixtures on target proteins by selection and compounds are identified by DNA sequencing. Thus, DELs do not require cost-intensive infrastructure and are therefore attractive for translational research.

• Expanding DEL reaction scope: chemically stabilized DNA and nanoheterogeneous systems

• Designing DNA-encoded libraries onto targets of biomedical relevance

• Hit synthesis

• Data science for DEL

• Protein-protein interaction assays and development of TEAD-YAP inhibitors

During the corona pandemic, new vaccines based on ribonucleic acids (mRNA) were developed. Novel lipid nanoparticles are important compounds for such medicines and are part of our research activites. 

Research focuses on developing new compounds with new properties like lipid mixtures, chemically modified lipids, as well as novel nucleotids, polymers, and substitutes for PEGylated lipids which are stable, secure, and biodegradable. Using these compunds could allow targeting active compounds (medicines) in tissues and/or organs, respectively. Of note, innovative ways of drug formulation are required in addition to the development of such compounds: RNA-based medicines should be "packed" stable and keep active compound but release the API as soon as it arrived in the respective target tissue. After "shuttling" the API to its target, the lipid particles should be metabolized by the organism.