Organic Chemistry

The Section of Organic Chemistry conducts research across chemical biology, homogeneous catalysis, supramolecular chemistry, and NMR spectroscopy, spanning both fundamental studies and applied projects in contemporary organic chemistry.

In Organic Chemistry, key areas of research include the use of organic synthesis in chemical biology to develop glycan-based vaccines, plant cell wall oligosaccharides, steroid analogs, drug delivery systems, and small-molecule or oligonucleotide drug candidates as probes for biological investigations. For homogeneous catalysis, the section develops C–H activation protocols using photocatalysis and organocatalysis to achieve enantioselective syntheses and functionalization of bio-derived substrates. Likewise, supramolecular chemistry activities focus on assembling unnatural cyclodextrins from starch through templated enzymatic synthesis. In NMR spectroscopy, research targets the structural elucidation of complex natural products and the analysis of intricate reaction pathways with many intermediates in aqueous media. The section also hosts key infrastructure, including the DTU Screening Core and NMR Center/DTU, supported by instrumentation such as MALDI, LCMS, GCMS, and HPLC.

The section brings together nine research groups, integrating advanced synthetic, catalytic, and spectroscopic methods while fostering strong collaborations across DTU along with other universities and research institutions, as well as with the pharmaceutical industry. The section holds particular strengths in areas including chemical biology, catalysis, supramolecular chemistry, and NMR spectroscopy, with strong ties to drug discovery and development.

Section Staff
Section publications

Head of Section

Robert Madsen

Robert Madsen Professor Phone: +45 45252151

Groups and fields of research

Katrine Qvortrup

Katrine Qvortrup

Katrine Qvortrup Professor Department of Chemistry Mobile: +45 31216621

Sustainable and Therapeutic Chemical Biology

Research in my group takes a multidisciplinary approach at the interface between chemistry and biology. We use synthetic molecules to systematically investigate the functions of genes, cells, and biochemical pathways in living systems.

Currently, we have five key focus areas. We work on understanding complex biological systems, for example by studying enzyme affinity for various unnatural substrates, which is relevant for the development of targeted prodrugs. We engage in hit optimization to develop new and effective treatments with the synthesis and screening of molecular compounds. In addition, we investigate strategies for improving drug delivery to the brain, such as barrier shuttle mechanisms, and linker designs that enable brain-selective drug release to reduce  site effects.

Furthermore, we work with antibody-based treatments, where our efforts include antibody modification to improve therapeutic properties and the development of strategies that enable antibody-based approaches to treat brain diseases. Our fifth current area is sustainable chemistry, where we are developing an indican-based, light-driven blue denim dying as a sustainable alternative for the textile industry.

 

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Kira Astakhova

Kira Astakhova

Kira Astakhova Associate Professor Department of Chemistry

Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Bioconjugation

Current research in my group focuses on the synthesis and studies of nucleic acid analogues. We employ novel approaches to rational design, synthetic strategies, and functional assays that take advantage of the functionalized nucleic acids and their conjugates with peptides and polymers.

Nucleic acids are the key biomolecules in living organisms. Current analytic approaches to nucleic acids can broadly be divided into two groups: technically demanding biological analyses and more applied, amplification-based assays. Our research aims to integrate these two settings into a single, highly informative, and reliable analytical platform.

With a focus on therapeutic applications, we develop novel bioconjugates and drug formulations to enable efficient delivery of gene therapeutics to target cells. To achieve this, we actively combine methods from computational chemistry, organic synthesis, and molecular biology.

 

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Luca Laraia

Luca Laraia

Luca Laraia Professor Department of Chemistry Phone: +45 45252495

Chemical Biology of Sterol-Regulated Processes

The research in my group focuses on chemical biology of processes governed or controlled by sterols. Using organic synthesis, cell biology, and mass spectrometry-based proteomics, we aim to discover new small molecule and protein regulators of cholesterol biosynthesis, metabolism, and trafficking. Our discoveries can have potential applications across a variety of disease areas.

Current projects include the synthesis of sterol-inspired compound collections, the systematic target identification and validation of naturally occurring oxysterols, and the identification, validation and application of small molecule inhibitors of selected cholesterol transfer proteins.

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Mads Hartvig Clausen

Mads Hartvig Clausen

Mads Hartvig Clausen Professor Department of Chemistry Phone: +45 45252131

Chemical Biology and Synthetic Tool Development

My research group is particularly interested in chemical biology, specially using synthetic chemistry to develop tool compounds for answering biological questions. This overall research theme includes the development of synthetic methodology for generating small-molecule libraries, drug delivery strategies including prodrug synthesis, medicinal chemistry, vaccine development, and studies of plant cell wall polysaccharides.

Major contributions include synthesis of oligosaccharides related to plant cell wall glycans and their use in characterizing monoclonal antibodies and enzymes. We have also designed and synthesized shape-diverse, sp3-rich high-throughput screening (HTS) compounds and fragments. In addition, we have developed prodrugs activated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) for treatment of inflammatory disease. Furthermore, we have contributed to the development of carbohydrate-based vaccines
 

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Sophie Beeren

Sophie Beeren

Sophie Beeren Professor Phone: +45 45252123

Supramolecular Chemistry, Enzymology, and Carbohydrate Chemistry

Research in my group is focused at the interface of supramolecular chemistry, enzymology, and carbohydrate chemistry. We aim to understand how non-covalent interactions allow molecules to specifically recognize one another in water, in order to manipulate biological systems using synthetic molecules.

We are particularly interested in developing Enzyme-Mediated Dynamic Combinatorial Chemistry as a novel synthetic methodology that exploits artificial template molecules to control enzymatic reactions and thereby expand the range of possible products beyond those found in nature. We explore the supramolecular chemistry of carbohydrates using a systems chemistry approach, where molecular recognition is studied within complex molecular networks.

Our work involves enzyme-catalysed dynamic systems of cyclodextrins (including large-ring cyclodextrins and modified cyclodextrins) and linear glycans. We synthesise templates ranging from bolaamphiphiles to superchaotropic anions and photoswitches. Furthermore, we develop stimuli-responsive systems, optical assays and mechanically interlocked molecules.

 

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Charlotte Held Gotfredsen

Charlotte Held Gotfredsen

Charlotte Held Gotfredsen Professor Department of Chemistry

NMR Spectroscopy at the Interface of Chemistry and Biology

The group has focus on NMR spectroscopy at the interface between chemistry and biology as a tool to acquire structural knowledge. This include structural studies of small molecules, oligosaccharides and natural products – including the determination of the absolute molecular structure, ligand-protein interactions and NMR based screening in FBDD 19F and 1 H. Synthesis of new alignment media for RDC measurements.

NMR methodology developments and identification of new biologically interesting secondary metabolites from fungi, marine and plant species in addition to food chemistry. The interface between chemistry and biology, using the biological enzymatic machinery in the production of biological interesting molecules. Structural identification of compounds present in minute amounts containing other NMR active nuclei such as 19F and 31P.

Furthermore, CHG has focus on innovation, leadership, management and establishments of infrastructures at DTU and business model developments for the research infrastructures.

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Sebastian Meier

Sebastian Meier

Sebastian Meier Professor Department of Chemistry

Dynamic Processes in Molecular Systems and Sustainable Chemistry

Research in my group focuses on the discovery and characterization of dynamic processes in molecular systems. The emphasis lies on the characterization and understanding of reactions relevant to sustainable chemistry and biochemistry.

We use spectroscopy to enable unbiased discovery and characterization of molecules, their conversion, and their interactions in complex systems. A particular focus is functional description of living cells and biomimetic catalysts, solvent effects, and the formation and degradation of biological and bio-sourced polymers. To address these challenges, we use and develop tailored high-resolution spectroscopic methods and probe molecules to shed light on complex systems at the interface of chemistry and biology.

Current projects explore catalyst functions, the chemistry in living cells, solvation effects and the superior formation of bio-sourced products, as well as reactions relevant to the beginning of life. Furthermore, we develop assays for the high-resolution molecular characterization of binding reactions in supramolecular biochemical and chemical systems.

 

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Robert Madsen

Robert Madsen

Robert Madsen Professor Department of Chemistry Phone: +45 45252151

Transition Metal Catalysis and Mechanistic Studies

The group has specialized in the development and mechanistic understanding of new transition metal-catalyzed reactions. Previously, the group has discovered and investigated new catalysts based on the platinum group metals such as ruthenium N-heterocyclic carbene complexes for coupling of alcohols and amines into amides, rhodium complexes for the decarbonylation of aldehydes and iridium complexes for releasing syngas from primary alcohols. Lately, the group has moved completely into catalysis with Earth-abundant transition metals where new catalysts are being developed for the dehydrogenation of alcohols with the release of hydrogen gas. The carbonyl compounds thus formed can be converted into a variety of other functional groups and heterocyclic structures in the same transformation. The new catalysts include manganese(III) and iron(III) complexes with tetradentate ligands as well as zinc oxide.

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Søren Kramer

Søren Kramer

Søren Kramer Associate Professor Department of Chemistry Phone: +45 45252150

Homogeneous Transition-Metal Catalysis and Reaction Development

My research group focuses on developing novel chemical reactions catalyzed by homogeneous transition-metal complexes. Photocatalysis, C–H functionalization, enantioselective catalysis, and transition-metal catalysis are at the center of our research.

We aim to develop new chemical transformations of relevance for medicinal chemistry, where our methods can enhance sustainability and streamline synthesis routes to pharmaceutical candidates. In addition, we conduct experimental studies to elucidate the mechanism of chemical reactions.

Recent key contributions include photoinduced copper-catalyzed enantioselective allylic C(sp3)−H oxygenation and enantioselective intermolecular radical amidation and amination of benzylic C−H bonds via dual copper and photocatalysis.

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