Development of cancer therapies and modern medications

The Graduate College “Bioactive Peptides” researches the complex structures of peptides and their functions. The German Research Foundation approves the second phase and funds the research with 2.1 million euros.

In biochemistry and drug research, natural and synthetic peptides play a significant role, especially in the development of new modern medicines and in identifying targets where drugs can bind. The Graduate College “Bioactive Peptides – Innovative Aspects of Synthesis and Biosynthesis” (RTG2473/1) explores the complex structure of peptides and their functions. The German Research Foundation (DFG) is funding this research from October 1, 2023, to March 31, 2028, for another four and a half years with a funding amount of approximately 2.1 million euros. The graduate college is entering its second funding phase. TU Berlin remains the lead university. The college's spokesperson, which conducts research in molecular biology, biochemistry, biological chemistry, and bioanalytics, is Prof. Dr. Roderich Süssmuth. He has held the Rudolf Wiechert Professorship for Biological Chemistry at TU Berlin since 2004 and heads the corresponding department. Overall, the DFG approved eleven new and extended nine existing graduate colleges.

Peptides are mostly chain-shaped molecules composed of two to 100 amino acids, the essential building blocks of all living cells. The diverse functions of peptides are primarily determined by their sometimes complex molecular structure and three-dimensional folding, whose characterization is an essential part of the graduate college's research. Analyzing the biosynthesis mechanisms and possible signaling pathways of selected example peptides presents further challenges and central questions of the “Bioactive Peptides” graduate college. The model systems and thus the origin of the studied peptides are diverse: among others, the peptides originate from photosynthetic cyanobacteria, molds, forest fungi, or bacteria that synthesize plant toxins. A special feature of the graduate college is its interdisciplinarity. Nearly all projects cooperate with other partners from the consortium.

In the first funding period, peptide-based active substances such as the toxin of the death cap mushroom, amanitin, were chemically synthesized, and their three-dimensional structures characterized using analytical and theoretical-chemical methods. These findings contribute to research aimed at developing therapies to combat cancer. Another project investigates the mechanism of action of a bacterial plant toxin with gyrase, an enzyme that separates and rejoins the ends of DNA. This active substance is currently being used for its potential as an antibiotic to treat bacterial infections.

In the second funding phase, the focus of interdisciplinary research will continue to be on elucidating peptide biosynthesis mechanisms, molecular structures, transport pathways, and target interactions. To meet the demand for computer-assisted methods, the consortium for the second funding period is supplemented by Professor Dr. Han Sun, who conducts research at the Leibniz Research Institute for Molecular Pharmacology Berlin and TU Berlin in the fields of structural biology and biophysics.

Within the framework of the graduate program, doctoral students are comprehensively and interdisciplinarily trained in peptide research through didactically structured courses. The curriculum covers the core areas of molecular biology/biochemistry, synthesis chemistry, and bioanalytics/structural biology. “In recent years, peptide research has gained particular importance in academic and industrial research. There is therefore a growing and sustainable demand for well-trained and knowledgeable researchers who can understand and speak the language of the other disciplines,” says Prof. Dr. Roderich Süssmuth.

The graduate college also involves, in the second funding period, besides TU Berlin, FU Berlin, HU Berlin, the University of Potsdam, and the Research Institute for Molecular Pharmacology in Berlin-Buch. The faculty is complemented by contributions from internationally renowned peptide scientists from universities and industry. Prominent senior scientists serve as advisors within the graduate college.

Further information is gladly provided to you:

Prof. Dr. Roderich Süssmuth
TU Berlin
Department of Biological Chemistry
Tel.: 030/314-24205
Email: roderich.suessmuth@tu-berlin.de

Maria Seidel
TU Berlin
Department of Biological Chemistry
Tel.: 030/314-73742
Email: maria.seidel@tu-berlin.de