GIUV2025-658
The Group of Chemical Biology of the University of Valencia conducts a multidisciplinary approach at the interface of organic synthesis, coordination chemistry, supramolecular biology and molecular biology. The team develops innovative approaches based on ligands, nanomaterials, and hybrid systems for controlling biological processes and their applications as therapeutic agents. Specifically, the group focuses on two main lines of research:
(1) Chemical biology of non-canonical nucleic acid structures. Nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) can adopt various 3D structures and the best-known is the double helix (or canonical), but non-canonical structures can also be formed transiently during biological processes. In this line, the Group of Chemical Biology investigates the basic functions of these non-canonical DNA/RNA structures in cells. To do this, we use a multidisciplinary approach by synthesizing and characterizing organic molecules and metal complexes with interesting properties (photophysical, electrochemical, catalytic...) to investigate biological processes and diseases such as cancer. Specifically, we focus on: -The development of G-quadruplex ligands for cancer therapies. -The...The Group of Chemical Biology of the University of Valencia conducts a multidisciplinary approach at the interface of organic synthesis, coordination chemistry, supramolecular biology and molecular biology. The team develops innovative approaches based on ligands, nanomaterials, and hybrid systems for controlling biological processes and their applications as therapeutic agents. Specifically, the group focuses on two main lines of research:
(1) Chemical biology of non-canonical nucleic acid structures. Nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) can adopt various 3D structures and the best-known is the double helix (or canonical), but non-canonical structures can also be formed transiently during biological processes. In this line, the Group of Chemical Biology investigates the basic functions of these non-canonical DNA/RNA structures in cells. To do this, we use a multidisciplinary approach by synthesizing and characterizing organic molecules and metal complexes with interesting properties (photophysical, electrochemical, catalytic...) to investigate biological processes and diseases such as cancer. Specifically, we focus on: -The development of G-quadruplex ligands for cancer therapies. -The detection and visualization of
non-canonical DNA structures (hairpin, i-motifs...) through a combination of molecular probes and advanced microscopy. -The biotechnological applications of non-canonical nucleic acid structures as drug delivery systems.
(2) The application of metal complexes in bioinorganic chemistry. Metal ions are essential components of biological systems and control their functions, particularly iron, zinc, and copper. In this context, metal complexes and chelating agents are developed in the lab for the purpose of investigating biological processes and diseases. Among the systems developed by the group, iron chelating systems, which are used as therapeutic agents in neuropathies, and copper, gallium, and zirconium complexes for use as molecular imaging agents, are of particular importance.
The group is composed of five young researchers, the Principal Investigator (Jorge González), and four predoctoral researchers whose main activity is based at the Institute of Molecular Science (ICMol) of the University of Valencia. The team's PI is an expert in nucleic acids and supramolecular chemistry, has co-authored more than 50 publications, and has coordinated several research projects at regional, national, and international levels. They currently collaborate with multiple research groups in various areas of the University of Valencia and other institutions at the national and international levels.
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- Investigar las caracteristicas, propiedades y funciones de los acidos nucleicos no canonicos
- Utilizacion de la quimica de coordinacion en imagen molecular y como agentes terapeuticos
- NON-CANONICAL NUCLEIC ACIDS.Research into the properties, characteristics and biological functions of non-canonical DNA and RNA structures such as G-quadruplex structures, i-motifs, hairpins, etc.
- METAL COMPLEXES.Application of metal complexes in molecular imaging and as chelating agents in neurodegenerative diseases
| Name | Nature of participation | Entity | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| JORGE GONZALEZ GARCIA | Director | Universitat de València | |
| Research team | |||
| ANDREA LAZARO GOMEZ | Member | Universitat de València | |
| JULIA MONICA REQUENA RAMIREZ | Collaborator | Universitat de València | |
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- Institute of Molecular Science (ICMOL)
