Targeted Analogs of Nucleic Acid Components

Research projects of the group deal with the development of biologically active analogs of nucleic acid components. Rational drug design of novel types of modified nucleobases, nucleosides and nucleotides is based on previous extensive structure-activity studies performed in the group of Professor A. Holý. Efficient methodology for the syntheses of target compounds is developed using manifold modern methods of organic chemistry. The structures are designed predominantly with respect to their expected antiviral, antiparasitic, antibiotic and cytostatic properties based on inhibition of important enzymes of the metabolism of nucleosides and nucleotides. The mechanism of action of resulting antimetabolites and potential biomedicinal applications are studied in collaboration with several biochemical groups.