Molecular recognition of nucleic acids is of fundamental importance e.g. for gene transcription and regulation, protein synthesis or cell-division. Small molecules selectively targeting specific DNAs or RNAs are therefore highly interesting not only to understand such processes in more detail on a molecular level but also for potential medicinal applications, as sensors or probes for fluorescence based bioimaging as well as for analytical purposes in isolated biosamples.

Within the project frame we intend to investigate diversity in evolutionary conserved metallopeptidase family M49 (DPP III family) through characterization of catalytic, structural and dynamical properties of its members.

The observation of chirality on inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) systems is an interesting and highly important phenomenon which has recently attracted considerable attention and has become a hot topic in nanoscience research.

Croatian-Chinese scientifiy and technological cooperation with Prof. Dr. Zhi-Long Chen from College of Chemistry and Biology, Donghua University, Shanghai

Project addresses two key research objectives in the European Union: energy and environment conservation. The scientific approach is based on a combination of theoretical and experimental knowledge and experience of collaborators, and includes quantum-chemical calculations and molecular modelling in the molecular design, chemical synthesis and study of physico-chemical properties of systems obtained through self-association by non-covalent interactions. It is multidisciplinary, covering topics in physical-organic, supramolecular and computational chemistry, photophysics and materials science.

Suradnja s dr. Mariom Barbattiem s Max-Planck instituta u Muelheimu, Njemačka