Group Matuszczak

Research focus

Our lab specializes in preparative pharmaceutical chemistry, with a particular emphasis on synthetic methodologies, microwave-assisted synthesis, and structure elucidation using NMR spectroscopic techniques. This work is part of a field-overlapping effort to advance drug discovery.

Dual-Mode Inhibition

We are especially interested in active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) with multiple modes of action. Such compounds can help minimize dosage requirements, address drug resistance, and reduce potential side effects. Unlike the administration of multiple agents, designed multiple ligands (DMLs) offer enhanced therapeutic efficacy while eliminating the risk of drug-drug interactions at the formulation or pharmacokinetic stages.

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sEH/FLAP Inhibitors

In the area of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, a major breakthrough has been achieved with the discovery of diflapolin—a dual inhibitor of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) and 5-lipoxygenase activating protein (FLAP). Combatting the often seen problem of "shunting", where the inhibition of one pathway of the arachidonic acid cascade inadvertently increases metabolism through others, diflapolin demonstrates exceptional potency and activity. Our goal is to develop diflapolin derivatives with a more favorable physicochemical profile along with further improved inhibitory potencies.

CYP51/Photodynamic Inhibitors

As part of a multidisciplinary "One Health" approach to tackle emerging antifungal resistance, we are exploring novel agents that bind the classical target of antimycotic azoles (CYP51) and simultaneously display photo-activatable effects by leveraging natural photosensitizing scaffolds. For more information, visit www.mui-mycos.at and www.uibk.ac.at/dk-bioapp/