Title of the project: Cyclocarbamte Antibiotics: Building Innovative Lead Structures through Organic Synthesis (CABILOS)
Description of the project:
The aim of this project is the development and evaluation of a novel lead structure for small molecule therapeutics against A. baumannii and potentially also other drug resistant pathogenic bacteria such as S. aureus and P. aeruginosa which depend on the Clp protease for pathogenicity. This will be achieved through the design and organic synthesis of strained (7/8/9-membered unsaturated) cyclic carbamates with different functionality. The molecules will be designed and optimized to target the active site of Clp protease, a key enzyme involved in pathogenicity of the main target A. baumannii as well as also in other relevant bacteria such as S. aureus and P. aeruginosa.
Biography:
I, Richa Sharma, have done my PhD from Malaviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur, India. The Title of my thesis was “Chemistry on Natural Product Inspired Fused Bio-heterocycles: Synthesis and Practical Applications”. I received my Master’s degree from Malaviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur and Bachelor’s degree from Hindu College, University of Delhi. During my PhD I have worked and gained experience in the functionalization and regio/site selective C-H bond activation of various N-containing heterocycles through transition metal-free/ metal-catalyzed catalysis and most of my work includes radicals as well as NHC carbene intermediates. I have also hands-on experience in the total synthesis of pharmaceutically active Artemisinin inspired 1,2,4-trioxanes synthesis and its utilization as anticancer agents
Nationality: Indian
VUB department and supervisor:
Organic Chemistry Research Group (ORGC), Prof. Ulrich Hennecke (PI) in collaboration with the Bioengineering Science Research Group of Prof. Charles Van der Henst (Co-PI)
Starting date: 15/04/2024