| Project Detail |
New disease markers leveraging unnatural amino acids Unnatural amino acids (UAAs) – amino acids used by nature to build proteins as well as engineered amino acids – are powerful tools in drug discovery, used as building blocks for exotic peptides and other molecules. The Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IChF) is renowned for measuring and analysing physical, chemical and biological systems but lacks biological molecules to expand and optimise its research. The EU-funded PERFECTION project aims to establish the Department of Chemical Biology for Biological & Medical Applications (DCB) at IChF to build expertise and to supply biological molecules, including peptides modified with UAAs, for broad-ranging studies on new chemical markers of diverse diseases. IChF is renowned for its methods of measuring and analysing physical, chemical and biological systems. Yet, we lack biologically relevant molecules to improve these methods and tackle complex health issues. We also need more recognition from partners to join project consortia and better exploit our research results. Under the project, DCB will undertake close collaboration with IChFs researchers, supplying them with novel compounds (modified peptides with unnatural amino acids, UAA) for broad-ranging studies on new chemical markers to target diverse diseases. DCB will also offer leading structures to support the creation of UAA-based drugs, similar to those in Nirmatrelvir/Paxlovid (a SARS-CoV-2 drug that uses UAA discovered by Prof Drg and team; Nature Chem Biol, 2021). The project measures involve revamping the IChF Research Agenda, training, guidance, and mentorship of IChF researchers by ECh, coupled with enhanced networking with academic and industry partners. We will also tackle the shortage of international researchers available for IChF by setting up training research programmes on drug/diagnostics delivery. To further solidify our partnerships with stakeholders, we will refine IChFs research management practices, notably in IP management and stakeholder communication. Our efforts will be bolstered by support from 14 research institutions and 6 companies (i.a. Stanford University School of Medicine, Genentech, Kintsugi) that have committed to the project. The ultimate project goal is to establish IChF as a premier research entity recognised for cutting-edge chemical tools for biological chemistry applications and their market launch. |
