Anti-infection drugs are an important part of treating illness. With growing frequency, disease-causing pathogens are appearing that are resistant to many kinds of antibiotics. Such infections are very difficult to treat. Scientists in the department "Medical Chemistry" are searching fro new substances to combat bacterial ailments, cancer and parasitic infections, like malaria.
The desired anti-infective and antibiotic products are often found as naturally-occurring substances in a variety of traditional medicinal herbs. However, they can also be found in a particular species of bacteria – the so-called myxobacteria. Researchers in the department go beyond the classical approach of isolating the compounds and unraveling their chemical structure. The work group has also developed molecules closely related to Ratjadon (a cell growth inhibitor) and myxopyronin (an antibiotic) to analyze the way these substances work. By analyzing the chemical structure, action mechanisms and target of known pharmaceuticals, conclusions can be drawn about which structures are particularly effective. Researchers are then in a position to optimize the natural substances accordingly.
You can find more information on the research group in these press releases and podcasts in German.