Synthesis of glycomimetic organometallic inhibitors of galectins

Galectins are a class of lectins (carbohydrate-binding proteins other than enzymes and antibodies) characterized by affinity to some galactosides and sequence homology. Non-covalent interactions of galectins with oligosaccharides are involved in many fundamental biological events. Inhibition of these interactions by synthetic analogs of endogenous saccharide agonists (glycomimetics) is of principal significance for their study and for drug development. The main goal of this PhD project is the synthesis and evaluation of hybrid glycomimetic galectin inhibitors based on the combination of carbohydrate and organometallic structural motifs. The incorporation of an organometallic moiety into the structure of a glycomimetic inhibitor can not only result in higher affinity or selectivity of inhibition, but also allow the study of interactions with galectins by electrochemical methods. The presence of the transition metal in the inhibitor molecule also expands the possibilities of its detection in cells and tissues

Reference:       Hamala, V. et al. Inorg. Chem. Front. 2024, 11, 7588–7609. DOI 10.1039/D4QI01555J

Required education and skills

• Master degree in chemistry.
• The willingness to acquire and apply advanced methods of organic synthesis.