Structural Control of Peptides by Boron Photoswitches (C04)

• Subject Area: Biological and Biomimetic Chemistry
• Term: since 2026
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 551403841

Project C04 “Structural Control of Peptides by Boron Photoswitches” aims to develop light-responsive peptide conjugates using boron-containing photoswitches based on cyclic diazobenzenes and related molecules. These site-specifically integrated switches form reversible B–N bonds and respond to specific wavelengths of light to alternate between isomeric structural states, which in turn induce folding or unfolding of α-helical peptides. The photoswitches will be chemically stapled into peptides to control structure, enhance stability, protease resistance, and cell permeability.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1762: Boron as property-determining element
• Applicant Institution: Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg
• Project Heads: Privatdozentin Dr. Tessa Charlotte Lühmann; Professorin Dr. Agnieszka Nowak-Król