Research

During our active research period our group was interested in a functional understanding of biological macromolecules and in the control of molecular processes. Our methodology was based on computational techniques like molecular modeling, QM/MM-methods, and molecular dynamics procedures. Together with various cooperating experimental research groups we applied a synergistic approach toward the investigation of functional (bio)polymers.

Top: Longitudinal section through an amylose helix showing the glucose units in the foreground and the inner helix surface in the rear. Lower left: Side view of an acetylcholine receptor model. Centre: Reaction intermediate of lipase catalyzed beta-lactam polymerization with Ser105-bound lactam. Right: Detail view of RNAse-H protein looking at the RNA segment in the actice site.

Our research projects involved:

-     the neurotransmission at the cholinergic synapse which is closely related to Alzheimer’s dementia. In this project we investigate e.g. structure and function of the acetylcholine receptor and the acetylcholinesterase.

-     the study of self organizing processes toward new nanostructural material from amylose inclusion-complexes. These investigations involved e.g. complexes of amylose with synthetic polymers or the utilization of inclusion complexes as medicinal carrier systems.

-     the investigation of polycondensation reactions, where our main focus was on the lipase-catalyzed synthesis of polyesters and polyamids.

-     the elucidation of molecular processes involved in RNA-cleavage by ribonucleases using DFT-based QM/MM-methods.

 
As a further aspect we have looked into digitally assisted teaching and learning methods with particular emphasis on E-learning materials for organic chemistry.