FOR 495:  Bio/Chemical Hybridcompounds

• Subject Area: Chemistry ; Biology ; Medicine
• Term: from 2003 to 2009
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5469960

Nature developed during evolution an enormous number of highly complex biomolecules with catalytic, sensoric or information storage properties. Millions of years of evolution created highly complex molecules with phantastic functions. In Marburg we plan to modify these biomolecules with synthetic anker molecules and functional modulators. These chemically modified biomolecules (hybrid compounds) are believed to have fascinating properties for applications in the areas of nano-sciences, diagnostics or they may function as novel catalysts for the synthesis of complex natural products.In the research unit we take naturally occurring photoreceptors, in which we incorporate synthetic chromophores. These chemically altered biomolecules will be subsequently assembled on surfaces to give novel sensors. Also enzymes will be modified with synthetically modified coenzymes to extend their catalytic potential. Evolutionary techniques are used to change the properties of the biomolecule itself too. It is frequently needed to improve the fit between the biomolecule and the synthetic functional modulators. In the research unit a network between synthetic chemists and biochemical- as well as biophysical groups is established in order to develop novel methods for the synthesis, the analysis and for the manipulation of such hybrid biocompounds. In this context special emphasis is placed on techniques to investigate surfaces. The research unit is planning to modify biomolecules in particular with synthetic surface anchors in order to immobilize the hybrid compounds on solid surfaces as arrays or within fluid membrane architectures. The research program includes in particular the development of chemical methods that allow efficient manipulation and modification of biomolecules. The goal of the research is the development of new biochemical hybrid entities with novel functions. The group plans for example the development of DNA-based arrays for the electrochemical and photochemical detection of gene sequences and DNA lesions. Information storage system will be developed using the protein Bacteriorhodopsin. The group plans to create novel receptor membrane architectures, which may function as new sensors. Finally, evolutionary modified and immobilized biosynthesis modules linked to each other are prepared that may allow in the future the biosynthesis of new antibiotics.

• DFG Programme: Research Units

Projects

• Bifunktionelle Riboflavin-Konjugate zur Konstruktion chemisch-biologischer Hybride (Applicant Essen, Lars-Oliver )
• Biokatalysatoren für die Synthese komplexer Cyclopeptide (Applicant Marahiel, Mohamed A. )
• Chemical and biological composite materials for the organization, assembly and manipulation of proteins (Applicant Tampé, Robert )
• Chemisch-modifizierte Blaulicht-Photorezeptoren, Photolyasen und Oligonukleotide (Applicant Carell, Thomas )
• Chemisch modifizierte Tetraetherlipide aus Thermoplasma Acidophilum, zur Herstellung nanostrukturierter substratgestützter Lipidmembranen (Applicant Bakowsky, Udo )
• Cryptochrome: Light-induced, flavin and folate-dependent electron transfer switched signalling proteins (Applicant Batschauer, Alfred )
• Koordination der Forschungsgruppe 495 (Applicant Essen, Lars-Oliver )
• Koordinatorprojekt: Synthese funktionaler chemisch-biologischer Hybridverbindungen (Applicant Marahiel, Mohamed A. )
• Metallhybridenzyme zur Katalyse von Click-Chemie-Reaktionen (Applicants Klebe, Gerhard ;  Koert, Ulrich )
• Modular assembly of functional transmembrane units in polymer-supported lipid bilayers (Applicant Piehler, Jacob )
• Oligomere Bisphosphonat-Pinzetten zur molekularen Assemblierung von Proteinen (Applicant Schrader, Thomas )
• Präparation semi-synthetischer Proteine durch ein neuartiges trans-spleißendes Intein (Applicant Mootz, Henning D. )
• Synthese von Kronenether- und PNA-Gramicidin-Hybridmolekülen (Applicant Koert, Ulrich )
• Zwei- und dreidimensional organisierte Strukturen biologisch-chemischer Hybridmaterialien (Applicant Hampp, Norbert )

• Spokesperson: Professor Dr. Mohamed A. Marahiel