This group consists of the “symbiosis” of two academic staffs, Dr Hai Deng (HD) and Dr Laurent Trembleau (LT), who’s focus is situated at the interface of chemistry and biology.
The organic synthesis and supramolecular chemistry branch (LT) is engaged in a broad range of research projects. These include work to assist in the preparation of natural and synthetic enzyme substrates and inhibitors, and various bioactive synthetic compounds (aromatics and peptides). A current project involves the total synthesis of a bioactive natural product, funded by the Portuguese company Sea4Us. New projects consist in the total synthesis of bioactive peptide natural products, the use of supramolecular concepts for the development of green protocols for the highly used amidation reaction, or the sustainable transformation of cellulose into surfactants.
Both branches have successfully joined their complementary knowledge and expertise towards the understanding of biosynthetic pathways and enzyme mechanisms. We have been working to develop sustainable methods for applications in industrial biotransformation, and enzyme inhibitors with antibiotic or antiviral properties.