PhD vacancy B

Within the framework of the European Union Fellowship Program “EVOLVE”, we have a vacancy for a PhD position in organic synthesis, entitled “A New Light on Carbohydrate Modification”.  Note that there are application restrictions for candidates currently residing in The Netherlands. Note the application deadline: October 20, 2024

Project description

Carbohydrates (sugars) are ubiquitous in the living cell and fulfill essential roles. Our immune system recognizes carbohydrates as self or foreign, and viruses recognize human cell-surface glycolipids as entrance points for infection. Also in medicine, carbohydrates play important roles as anti- infectives, and in vaccines for instance. Most carbohydrates in chemistry are prepared from readily available monosaccharides by applying protecting groups which single out one hydroxy group, either for modification or to connect another protected monosaccharide. The large majority of these reactions uses polar chemistry.

Our group contributes significantly to recent developments in (photoredox) catalysis and electrochemistry that allow modification of carbohydrates in a site-selective manner without protecting groups. Most of these processes are radical reactions and are inspired by radical-based enzymatic mechanisms. In the first part of the current proposal, we aim to use photoredox catalysis for the incorporation of thiols in carbohydrates. This allows the synthesis of (natural) thioglycosides, which is important as thioglycosides resist enzymatic degradation.

In the second part of the proposal we will use site-selectively modified sucrose (table sugar) as substrate for sucrases; enzymes that use sucrose for the synthesis of oligosaccharides. This allows the modification of carbohydrates and glycopeptides by adding a modified glucose residue. This builds a bridge between chemical and enzymatic oligosaccharide modification, allowing to combine strengths of both disciplines.

Specifications

We seek a candidate with an MSc in Chemistry, particularly in Organic Synthesis.

Please apply via the website of the Evolve Programme.