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08. November 2022

New Research Training Group at the University of Bonn New Research Training Group at the University of Bonn

6.3 million euros for research into innovative methods and new modalities in medicinal chemistry

The German Research Foundation (DFG) is establishing a new Research Training Group (RTG) at the University of Bonn to further strengthen young scientists. The goal of the RTG " Tools and Drugs of the Future" is to modernize medicinal chemistry and train a new generation of medicinal chemists and researchers at the interface with interconnected disciplines. In addition, the projects are intended to contribute to the development of new drug substances. The funding amounts to almost 6.3 million euros over five years. Eleven new Research Training Groups will be funded throughout Germany from spring 2023.

In the laboratory - A new research training group is established in the field of medicinal chemistry at the University of Bonn.
In the laboratory - A new research training group is established in the field of medicinal chemistry at the University of Bonn. © University of Bonn
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In recent years, there have been many advances in drug discovery, for example, there have been major changes in drug targets, types of drug molecules and also medicinal chemistry methods. These advances help to accelerate the development of potential drugs and make it possible to develop drugs for specific diseases in the first place. The new Research Training Group "Tools and Drugs of the Future" therefore aims to train a young generation of medicinal chemists to prepare them for the challenges of the future. The new types of active ingredients include so-called PROTACs, which are designed to lead to the degradation of harmful proteins, macrocyclic active ingredients, biopolymers, and drug conjugates.

"The University of Bonn, with the Pharma-Zentrum Bonn and its surroundings, including selected industrial partners, offers an ideal environment for research in the field of medicinal chemistry and for translational drug development," says Prof. Dr. Christa E. Müller from the Pharmaceutical Institute of the University of Bonn, Speaker of the Research Training Group.

Leading scientists from five different institutes and two faculties (Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences and Faculty of Medicine) at the University of Bonn are involved in the Research Training Group. Furthermore, it is embedded in the Transdisciplinary Research Area "Life and Health" at the University of Bonn in terms of content and personnel.

The scientific breadth of the researchers and their networking lead to synergies in working on a broad spectrum of new modalities. "The Research Training Group will enable close collaboration to jointly address the resulting scientific questions," says Prof. Dr. Finn Hansen of the Institute of Pharmacy at the University of Bonn, deputy Speaker of the Research Training Group.

In addition, the researchers plan to work closely with international partners - an exchange program has been agreed with the universities of Copenhagen (Denmark), Dundee (Scotland) and Tohoku (Japan).

The Research Training Groups of the German Research Foundation

Research Training Groups offer doctoral candidates the opportunity to complete their doctorate in a structured research and qualification program at a high professional level. Currently, the DFG funds a total of 220 GRK.