Chemical Biology

In their ongoing quest for new therapies against pathogens, scientists are focusing primarily on chemical and biological agents. These can function as antibiotics or stimulate the immune system. Discovering new drugs, characterising their functionality and optimising their properties are the three main goals of the department “Chemical Biology” at the HZI.  

Leader

Prof Dr Mark Brönstrup

We are seeking to find and understand new and effective mechanisms for the treatment of infections – chemical biology offers a perfect toolbox for this endavour.

Mark Brönstrup

Portrait of Mark Brönstrup, head of department
Prof Dr Mark Brönstrup

Mark Brönstrup studied Chemistry at the Philipps-Universität Marburg and at the Imperial College in London. In 1999 he received his doctorate from the Technical University Berlin in Organic Chemistry. After his graduation, he worked from 2000 to 2004 as a laboratory head for Mass Spectrometry at Aventis, complemented by a research sabbatical in 2003 at Harvard Medical School.

From 2005 to 2010 he led the Natural Product Sciences section at Sanofi-Aventis in Frankfurt with the goal of discovering leads from natural sources and optimising them to clinical candidates.

He dealt with translational research projects from 2010 to 2013 as a section head for Biomarkers & Diagnostics in the Diabetes Division, and a domain head for Biomarkers, Bioimaging & Biological Assays at Sanofi.

Since December 2013, he heads the department Chemical Biology at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research; additionally, he holds a Professorship (W3) at the Leibniz Universität Hannover.

Bachelor & Master
Are you interested in a bachelor or master thesis? We are looking forward to your request!

Video

  • Epothilon: Ein HZI-Molekül wird zum Krebsmedikament

    Wissenschaftler an der ehemaligen Gesellschaft für Biotechnologische Forschung (GBF), dem heutigen HZI, haben in den 1980er Jahren Epothilon B entdeckt. Dieser Naturstoff stört die Teilung von Krebszellen: Tumore werden durch ihn im Wachstum gebremst, schrumpfen und verschwinden. Das Pharmaunternehmen Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) hat jetzt auf der Basis von Epothilon B ein Krebsmedikament auf den US-amerikanischen Markt gebracht. Seine Entwicklung ist so spannend wie ein Krimi...
    Länge: 11:34

  • Molecular Trojan Horses Visualize Infections

    Researchers from the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) and the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) recently developed molecular probes that utilise the iron transport system of bacteria to transport antibacterial agents into the bacterial cell. These "molecular Trojan horses" can also carry fluorescence markers and thus make infections in smaller animals visible and amenable to treatment. Kevin Ferreira explains here the new developed method in a minute.

  • 1 cure for ALL viruses? 6 new research teams in the challenge by the Federal Agency for Disruptive Innovations [Video in German]

    Six research teams have entered the second phase of the SPRIND Challenge "A Quantum Leap for New Antiviral Agents" with their approach to developing new antiviral agents. Scientists from the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research are involved in three of the funded projects. YouTuber Jacob Beautemps introduces the teams.

  • How do researchers at the HZI and HIPS develop a new antibiotic?

Audio Podcast

  • Kleine Moleküle ganz groß – Mit Naturstoffen gegen Hepatitis CMit weltweit 130 Millionen Infizierten ist Hepatitis C eine der häufigsten Infektionskrankheiten. Die Therapien, die es derzeit gibt, sind langwierig, haben starke Nebenwirkungen und helfen nicht jedem Patienten. Florenz Sasse vom Braunschweiger Helmholtz-Zentrum für Infektionsforschung und Thomas Pietschmann vom TWINCORE in Hannover suchen gemeinsam nach neuen Wirkstoffen gegen das Hepatitis C-Virus. Hören Sie hier von ihren ersten Treffern und folgen Sie Florenz Sasse zu einer Bibliothek der anderen Art…
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