Halogenbindning, NMR-metodutveckling, antibiotikaresistens och naturproduktskemi - Máté Erdélyi

Alan Vanderkooy, Post Doctoral reseracher
My research is centers around the development of helical ligands to stabilize positively charged iodonium cations and the exploration of the reactivity of these new complexes. Such positively charged halogen cations are useful reagents for halogenation of other molecules. Halogen functionalities serve as indispensable synthetic handles and also occur in many useful molecules such as natural products and pharmaceuticals.

My broader research interests are in the chemistry of polymers and other high molecular weight molecules. I obtained my PhD in 2017 from the University of Toronto. In my spare time, I like to play sports such as hockey and swimming, watch television series, and enjoy eating good food and drinks with friends.

Beatrice Berionni Berna, postdoctoral reseracher
I obtained a joint PhD between the University of Rome Tor Vergata (Italy) and the Autonomous University of Madrid (Spain), working on the synthesis and reactivity of transition metal complexes of porphyrins and related macrocycles and on their application both as sensors and as photosensitizers.

In 2019 I joined the group of Prof. Máté Erdélyi as postdoctoral fellow.  My current project aims to develop novel tools to enable localization of low affinity protein-ligand binding sites. To accomplish this, I am working on the synthesis of paramagnetic lanthanide chelating tags that can be attached to specific ligands. The introduction of a paramagnetic tag allows to obtain 3D structural information by means of NMR analyses.

Daniel Umereweneza, PhD student
After successful completion of my undergraduate studies in chemistry at Université Nationale du Rwanda, I was awarded an excellence scholarship by the Government of Rwanda. Subsequently, I went to Xiamen University, People Republic of China where I earned a master’s degree in chemical engineering. Since January 2018, I have been employed as PhD student within Prof. Erdélyi’s research group. In my research, I work on isolation, structure elucidation and bioactivity studies of natural products of herbs that are in traditional medicinal use in East Africa. In my spare time, I read newspapers, listen to Rwandan traditional songs, play and watch football games.

Daniel von der Heiden, Post Doctoral researcher
I finished my doctorate in Organic Chemistry (2018) at the University of Cologne (Germany), where I worked on halogen bond catalysis. I have joined the group of Prof. Erdélyi in 2018 to develop stereoselective halogenation reactions. Since mid of 2019 I am also involved in the development of paramagnetic tagging strategies to evaluate molecular conformations and weak binding events in solution by NMR spectroscopy.

Hermina Wieske, PhD student
During my undergraduates in Groningen (the Netherlands) I developed a great interest in structural biology. I joined the group of Prof. Erdélyi to work on a project to fight antibiotic resistance. Metallo-beta-lactamase producing bacteria are often found in infections that are amongst the hardest to treat with conventional antibiotics. Our group is developing inhibitors for these enzymes to make these pathogens susceptible for conventional antibiotics once more. Using techniques such as ITC and NMR I study the effect these inhibitors have on the enzymes. In my free time I can be found in the swimming pool to either play waterpolo myself or coach the younger players of our swimming club.

Fritz Leonard Deufel, M.Sc student
After completing a German French bachelor program in Freiburg i. Br., Germany and Mulhouse, France (2015-2018), I moved to Uppsala for my master studies and joined the group of Prof. Máté Erdélyi as part of the master thesis. My work here focusses on the synthesis of inhibitors designed to fight antibiotic resistance. My spare time activities involve mainly karate and photography.

Katarzyna Palica, PhD student
I obtained my MSc (2014-2016) at the Faculty of Chemistry (Jagiellonian University) in Cracow (Poland) where I worked on the development of stereoselective glycosylation reactions. I have joined the group of Prof. Erdélyi in 2017 to work on development of inhibitors for metallo-beta-lactamases . In my spare time, I am climbing and snowboarding.

Lotta Turunen, Post doctoral reseracher
I obtained my PhD in 2017 at the University of Jyväskylä in Finland, where I worked with halogen-bonded capsules and cages. I joined the group of Prof. Erdélyi in 2018 to study halogen transfer reactions. In my spare time, I like to play the violin and drink a lot of good coffee.

Ruisheng Xiong, Post doctoral researcher
I obtained my PhD in 2017 at Uppsala University, where I worked on hydroporphyrins for light harvesting and sensitising NIR lanthanide luminescence. I joined Prof. Erdélyi’s group in 2017. My current research is focused on developing lanthanide paramagnetic tags to identify protein-ligand interaction. It involves organic synthesis, lanthanide chemistry, paramagnetic NMR and protein NMR. In my spare time, I enjoy fika and playing with my children.

Scott Wilcox, PhD student
I obtained my Master’s degree in Medicinal & Biological Chemistry from the University of Edinburgh in 2017, and have since joined this group as a PhD student. My research is involved with investigating halogen bonding in solution with the paramagnetic NMR technique. Besides time in the lab, I also enjoy cycling, beer and socialising over a good fika.

Stefan Peintner, PhD student
I studied Pharmacy at the University of Innsbruck, Austria and obtained my master’s degree working on branched fatty acids targeting Insulin sensitivity enhancement. In 2016 I joined the group of Prof. Máté Erdélyi in Uppsala starting my PhD. My research is on synthesis and analysis of beta-hairpin forming peptides. Main focus is on the development of Halogen-bond stabilized biomolecules and its solution NMR analysis utilizing homonuclear NOEs.

Yoseph Assefa, Post doctoral researcher
University of Nairobi, Kenya

My research interest is in drug discovery and I am very interested in exploring the applications of NMR spectroscopy. My current project aims to understand the conformational flexibility of drug and drug-like molecules in solution using a joint approach of experimental (NMR) and computational methods (NAMFIS). I joined Uppsala University as a Postdoctoral fellow in 2018 (Prof. Kihlberg and Prof. Erdelyi group), the same year when I obtained my Ph.D. from the University of Nairobi, Kenya, where I worked on natural products. I finished my undersgraduate study at Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia.When I have spare time, I like reading historical, spiritual and biography books. 

Hanna Andersson, Researcher
Ph.D. Uppsala University, Sweden

Thobias Mwalingo Kalenga, Visiting PhD student

I obtained my MSc. in 2017 at University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Thereafter I joined a new institute, Mwalimu JK Nyerere University of Agriculture and Technology (MJNUAT) where I am working as assistant lecturer in Chemistry Department based on organic chemistry. In 2018 I joined University of Dar es Salaam to pursue PhD in natural products. I joined Prof. Erdélyi’s group in 2019. My current research is focused on isolation of compounds from plants and spectroscopic analyses to identify bioactive molecules which could be employed as moieties for drug discovery and development. In my spare time, I enjoy church services, prayer worship and playing football.

​Edward Clinton, Erasmus student
Technological University Dublin, Ireland

Sofia Lindblad, M.Sc. student
Uppsala University, Sweden

I have been a part of the group since December 2016, conducting research on the fundamental nature of halogen bonding. My most significant work so far has been the description of the influence of electronegativity of the halogen bond acceptors on the geometry and strength of the halogen bonds of halonium ions. Currently, I am writing my master thesis, focusing on a further application of halonium ions' halogen bonds. 

Gabriella Dobos, Administrative Assistant 
Uppsala University, Sweden

Jannica Hedblom, Administrative assistant
Uppsala University, Sweden

Orion Berryman, Visiting Associate Professor
University of Montana, USA