Laboratory of Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry
Team leader: dr hab. Marzena Jankowska-Anyszka, prof. ucz.
Team leader’s e-mail address: marzena@chem.uw.edu.pl, m.jankowska-an@uw.edu.pl
Brief description of the research topic:
The research group conducts interdisciplinary studies at the interface of chemistry, biology, and medical sciences, focusing on the design and investigation of bioactive compounds as well as the analysis of biological processes relevant to understanding the fundamental mechanisms of life, human health, and disease therapy. The main scientific interests of the team focus on nucleic acids and their components – nucleotides. The central object of research is the characteristic structure of the 5′ end (so-called cap) of RNA transcripts synthesized by RNA polymerase II and its role in gene expression, mRNA stability and translation initiation. The group conducts advanced research on synthetic mRNA cap analogues—structures used both as tools for studying mRNA metabolism processes and as potential therapeutic agents. The team designs and synthesizes novel cap analogues and investigates their effects on translation, both under physiological conditions and in the context of cancer-related pathologies. In particular, the potential of the analogues as inhibitors of translation in cells overexpressing the eIF4E factor, considered an important therapeutic target, is being investigated. In parallel, the application of di- and trinucleotide analogues in capping mRNA transcripts is being developed, which is crucial for the stability and functionality of therapeutic RNA. Systems for delivering cap analogues to cells are also being developed, using, among others, membrane-penetrating peptides and gold nanoparticles. The main stream of research is complemented by projects covering: designing and testing selective peptidomimetic inhibitors of biological pathways with therapeutic potential, investigations into the physiological role of polyamines in the human body and the effects of low-polyamine diets on pain perception in cancer patients; and studies in prebiotic chemistry—such as nonenzymatic RNA replication under conditions mimicking the early Earth environment, and the development of catalytic peptides to facilitate prebiotic reactions. The team is also active in archaeometry, applying methods of exact sciences to study cultural heritage objects.