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CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN DEVELOPMENT OF NEW THERAPEUTICS FROM SUGARS |
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The Institute of Organic Chemistry is conducting research project Center of Excellence in Development of New Therapeutics from Sugars CEDNETS. This project is funded by the European Uninion within 5 Framework Programme for Research, Technological Developmnent and Demonstration, Quality of Life and Management of Living Resources Programme. Initially, the project was planned for 3 years (2002-2005), but has been prolonged by one year, to the end of 2006.
Objectives of the project:
The main objective of the Center of Excellence in Development of New Therapeutics from Sugars is to exchange knowledge and experience on stereocontrolled synthesis of potential therapeutics from sugars by so co-called “chiron approach” between researchers from EU and CEDNETS. The main objectives of CEDNETS are:
- improving links of Polish scientists with the outstanding centers of similar profile in Europe by exchange visits of scientists;
- increasing networking with those centers;
- organization of international conferences on stereocontrolled organic synthesis.
Research focus of the Center of Excellence:
Synthesis of drugs (or their precursors) must be realized highly stereoselectively, not only to obtain the products as single diastereoisomers, but also in enantiomerically pure form. This can be done either by classical asymmetric synthesis (conversion of prochiral material into pure enatiomers) or more conveniently from cheap, readily available starting materials. Such materials are aminoacids or sugars and the Institute of Organic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences where CEDNETS is located is capable of performing such syntheses. The formation of CEDNETS should increase the capacity of the Institute and enhance the scientific potential of the research leading to optically pure biologically active materials.
Research groups integrated into CEDNETS:
1) Prof. Sławomir Jarosz, Chemistry of Sucrose. Application of Sugars as Chiral Building Blocks
2) Prof. Marek Chmielewski, Stereocontrolled Synthesis of Antibiotics and Related Microbial Products
3) Prof. Janusz Jurczak, Stereocontrolled Organic Synthesis and Supramolecular Chemistry
