The Structural Genomics Consortium at the Goethe University Frankfurt (SGC-Frankfurt) is focused on the development and rational design of selective inhibitors (chemical probes) targeting key signalling molecules and their use for the validation of new targets.
More specifically the research team focuses on three main key areas:
- Development of allosteric kinase inhibitors including targeting pseudokinases to interrogate catalytic as well as scaffolding functions of kinases. As part of the SGC, our laboratory has solved a comprehensive set of crystal structures of this large protein family offering new opportunities for the design of selective inhibitors.
- Development of new chemistry to target kinases. We are using new chemical approaches like covalent kinase inhibition and exploring shape using macrocycles to generate novel and more specific kinase inhibitors.
- Targeting protein interactions module that mediates the recognitions of key post-translational modifications such as ε-N-lysine acetylation-specific reader domains.
The SGC Frankfurt is also coordinating the Donated Chemical Probe program - a project that makes high-quality probes developed for different therapeutic areas, that are no longer pursued as drug candidates or leads in pharma companies available to the public.
The Frankfurt site is coordinating the IMI project EUbOPEN (Enable and Unlock biology in the OPEN) consortium. EUbOPEN is a public-private partnership, which aims to develop high quality chemical tool compounds for one third of the druggable proteome. EUbOPEN enables unencumbered access to these research tools, thereby empowering academia and industry alike to explore disease biology and unlock the discovery of new drug targets and treatments.
The SGC Frankfurt team has capacities for protein production, in vitro screening (biochemical and biophysical methods as well as cell-based assays) and X-ray crystallography. It is housed at the Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences. Scientists at the SGC Frankfurt are associated with the Faculty of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Pharmacy.
Find more information on the SGC-Frankfurt website.
