GRK 677:  Structure and Molecular Interaction as a Basis for Drug Action

• Subject Area: Medicine
• Term: from 2001 to 2010
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 273227

The effects of a drug result from its interaction with a target structure of the organism such as a receptor for an endogenous transmitter, an enzyme, or a transport system. In many cases it has not yet been clarified which domain of the target molecule is the site for drug binding, which molecular substructures are involved in the interaction between the drug and its target, and how signal transduction is initiated and modulated. The projects of the research training group aim at gaining more insight into the structural prerequisites and molecular principles of drug-target interactions. For this purpose, compounds with novel structures will be developed, structure-activity relationships will be investigated and drug-target interactions will be modelled. Suitable compounds will serve as probes to elucidate the function of biological targets. Eventually, the knowledge of the molecular events underlying drug-target interactions may lead to novel drugs with improved pharmacological properties.

• DFG Programme: Research Training Groups
• Applicant Institution: Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn
• Spokesperson: Professor Dr. Klaus Mohr
• Participating Researchers: Professor Dr. Gerd Bendas; Professor Dr. Hans-Jürgen Biersack; Dr. Daniela Gündisch; Professor Dr. Michael Gütschow; Professor Dr. Ulrich Jaehde; Professorin Dr. Evi Kostenis; Professorin Dr. Gabriele M. König; Professorin Dr. Christa E. Müller; Professor Dr. Michael Wiese