The Synthetic Organic Chemistry department (part of the Institute for Molecules and Materials) works to design and synthesise biological relevant molecules and improve the existing methods of synthesis. They focus on small molecules with biological relevance, like heterocyclic compounds, organic metal complexes, carbohydrates, proteins and peptides.
Synthetic Organic Chemistry
Department
Research
In chemistry countless reactions are known, and for synthesising a specific molecule a chemist can often choose many different pathways. But which reactions and techniques offer the most reliable and sustainable path? Our goal is to design and synthesise biological relevant molecules and improve the existing methods of synthesis.
Rutjes group
The Rutjes research group. led by Prof. Floris Rutjes, run several research projects in the areas of:
- Continuous flow chemistry, in particular photochemical reactions to efficiently generate highly functionalised building blocks;
- Synthesis of biologically relevant small molecules, involving the development of new synthetic methodology to construct new building blocks;
- New drugs for tropical infectious diseases;
- Developing new hyperpolarisation techniques of organic molecules (Signal Amplification By Reversible Exchange, SABRE), to detect organic molecules in submicromolar concentrations in complex mixtures.
Kouwer group
Our research, led by Dr. Paul Kouwer, focuses on smart soft materials; materials with properties that change when time, temperature, pressure or something else changes. By combining the best of the worlds of synthetic and biological materials, we developed a synthetic gel (PIC) with the properties of a biological gel. As a synthetic material we have full control over the structure and the mechanical properties, and its strong biomimetic properties makes PIC gels very suited for a wide range of biological applications, for instance stem cell engineering, fibrosis assay development and to improve tissue culture techniques. Also, we're exploring possibilities for a suitable matrix for more complex cultures, such as organoid, and are looking to apply in the in vivo context, particularly in wound healing.
Bonger group
In the Bonger Lab, led by Dr. Kim Bonger, we combine organic chemistry with molecular biology and biochemistry to target and answer biological questions related to autoimmune diseases and develop novel platforms to understand and tackle them. Active projects include: Coordination-Assisted Bioorthogonal Chemistry, selective targeting of autoreactive B-cells, and chemoenzymatic subcellular protein labelling.
Boltje group
In the Boltje group, led by Dr. Thomas Boltje, we aim to study and identify important glycans involved in malignant transformation and pathogenic infection. For this purpose, we prepare complex glyans by chemical synthesis and also develop chemical tools to perturb the glycan biosynthesis to identify the essential glycans mediating such processes.
Löwik group
In the Löwik group, led by Dr. Dennis Löwik, we synthesize peptides and try to manipulate their structure and function. These peptides form the building blocks to create new materials for tissue engineering and synthetic vaccines. Moreover, peptides are employed in our group for the design of molecules to diagnose and treat cancer by specifically delivering drugs to diseased cells.
Facilities
We use modern techniques like flow chemistry, which allow for control of chemical reactions in ways not possible with traditional chemistry. We also have access to the latest analytical and synthetic tools including such as state-of-the-art NMR machines and an in-house developed parallel high pressure synthesizer.
Safety
Every group member and guest who will be doing laboratory work should have read the safety manual regulations before they start working on the lab.
Publications
Our scientific contributions can be found in the publications archive in Radboud Repository, view the Synthetic Organic Chemistry publications and the Molecular Materials publications.
Spin-offs
We make sure our technologies reach the industry. The Synthetic Organic Chemistry group has produced several successful spin-offs, such as Synvenio, GlycoTherapeutics, Future Chemistry, Protinhi Therapeutics and Synaffix.
Internships
The Synthetic Organic Chemistry group is involved in the Bachelor's programmes Chemistry, Molecular Life Sciences and Science, and the Master's programme Molecular Sciences of Radboud University. We also offer internship positions for Bachelor's and Master's students. Click below to search for internships or get in touch with Dr. Daniel Blanco.
Academic staff
Below are the scientific staff of the Synthetic Organic Chemistry department. Chair of the department is Prof. Floris Rutjes.
Contact information
Location
Huygens building
Heyendaalseweg 135
6525AJ Nijmegen
6525AJ Nijmegen