Scientific breakthrough in chemistry
The team led by CDS member Prof. Dr. rer. nat. habil. Dieter Schinzer from the Institute of Chemistry of the Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg have succeeded for the first time in synthetically recreating the naturally occurring active ingredient Disorazol Z1 using a highly efficient process. It is the world's first total synthesis of this highly active natural compound.
Disorazol Z1 is one of the world's most active compounds in terms of cytotoxicity, the ability to effectively prevent the division of human and animal cells and to destroy them. Previously Disorazol Z1 could only be produced naturally by bacteria. The myxobacteria, which produce the natural substance, are widespread worldwide and commonly found in organic waste. After the bacterial strain was discovered several years ago, scientists isolated the active ingredient, and investigated it in scientific studies for potential cancer therapies.
Prof. Dr. rer. nat. habil. Dieter Schinzer emphasizes the advantage of the synthetic production: "We've mimicked nature, but with a crucial advantage. Bacteria produce Disorazol Z1 only in a specific form, so we can specifically adapt and optimize it for medical applications." The chemical synthesis is therefore a major step forward for cancer research.
The medical optimization aims to modify the molecule, so that it first binds to a specific protein, an antibody, and can thus be targeted to the tumor. Cell death, known as apoptosis, will then be limited to the desired area. For the first synthesis of the substance, the scientists developed innovative strategies to construct the molecule in several steps. To confirm the exact structure of the synthesized compound, state-of-the-art chemical techniques and analytical methods were used.
Now the team plans the patenting and publication of the discovery, as well as further investigations into the medical applicability of the substance and the optimization of the synthesis for potential industrial applications.
The project was financed with 1.7 million euros from state funds and funds from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
To the official press release of the Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg