University of Helsinki
The Medicinal Chemistry Lab designs, discovers, chemically synthesises, characterises, and optimises biologically active compounds.
Inspiration for the drug molecules can come from nature (plants, microorganisms, and marine compounds), computational molecular modelling, or repurposing previously known compounds.
Drug molecules are synthesised in the laboratory, purified, and then characterised. They are subsequently subjected to biological activity assays and the resulting biological activity information is used to optimise the compound further. We are synthesising small-molecule libraries of novel antibacterial, anticancer, antiviral, antiparkinsonian, and heart regenerating compounds. We are also developing green and sustainable methods to prepare the drug molecules.
Learn more about Dr Paula Kiuru from Prof. Jari Yli-Kauhaluoma’s Medicinal Chemistry lab.
- Identification of active compounds from nature.
- Computational design of new drugs.
- Synthesis of a new compound in the laboratory.
