Target validation for pharmaceutical development of active compounds

The focus of the research is the validation of promising drug targets for subsequent development of active compounds (antibiotics) for disease treatment. We are particularly interested in Glutamine synthetase-like enzymes as promising drug targets. We investigate nitrogen metabolism in Actinobacteria like Streptomyces coelicolor (actinobacterial model organism) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (tuberculosis pathogen), focusing on polyamine and monoamine metabolism. Our studies on polyamine and ethanolamine utilization pathways as well on characterizations of GS-like enzymes allow design and development of new compounds for treatment of tuberculosis and other mycobacterial infections.

Research projects

• GSS-TUBTAR: Validation of the confirmed γ-glutamylspermine synthetase GInA3 as a target for development of novel anti-tubercular drugs (BMBF, 2020-2022)
• GPS-TBT: Validation of the γ-glutamylpolyamine synthetase GInA3Mt as a promising target for development of novel anti-tubercular drugs (BMBF, 2018-2020)
• Characterization of polyamine and ethanolamine utilization pathways in Streptomyces coelicolor M145 (DFG, GRK1708 (I and II), 2015-2018)

Present address: Valent Biosciences, 1910 Innovation Wy Suite 100, Libertyville, IL 60048, USA