Research

Much of the research activity in structural chemistry is directed toward structural chemistry/biology with X-ray crystallography as the central technique. This concerns both proteins, biologically or pharmaceutically important small molecules and structures of importance in organic synthesis. There is also considerable research on protein stability and folding.

The inorganic- and materials chemistry group is working on the synthetic and computer simulation of metallo-enzymes, in the development of synthetic method in fluorochemistry, self assembly and dynamic combinatorial chemistry.

Research in organic chemistry is directed towards the development of methods for stereo-selective synthesis, the synthesis and functional studies of antibacterial peptides, synthesis of heterocyclic compounds and in computer optimisation of organic synthetic methods.

Activity in theoretical chemistry is directed towards the study of molecular structure and reactions, particularly in the chemistry of the Lanthanides and Actinides, and in understanding changes in electronic structure under the influence of powerful magnetic fields. The latter is aimed at simulation of NMR spectra and also concerns the effect of molecular vibrations on response to magnetic fields. Development of new methods is also an important part of the research activity.

The National Centre for Structural Biology, NorStruct, has been established in the Department. This serves as a core activity for local functional-genomics projects and also as a national centre for the determination and analysis the 3D structures of biological macromolecules.