Research Areas
The main research areas pursued by the Chemical Synthesis and Analysis Section include the synthesis, structural characterization, and activity evaluation of chemical compounds, macromolecules, and polymers, as well as biotransformations with applications in various industrial sectors and the valorization of plant biomass.
The first research area focuses on the synthesis and modification of biologically active compounds and systems. We use modern organic synthesis techniques, including organic electrosynthesis and microwave- and ultrasound-assisted reactions. Our research particularly focuses on:
- synthesizing glycoconjugates that are active against selected biological targets, including pathogenic cells, bacteria, fungi, and enzymes involved in metabolic pathways, as well as carrying out biochemical assays to determine their activity and mechanisms of action;
- developing building blocks, including chiral ones, based on organophosphorus compounds (e.g. using triarylphosphonium salts), and chemically modifying biologically active systems, including the synthesis of conjugates and molecular hybrids using organophosphorus compounds;
- synthesizing or isolating compounds from plant material and characterizing compounds with established biological properties.
The second research area of our group focuses on the use of hydrogels and glycopolymers in biomedical research, particularly as:
- thermoresponsive matrices for 3D cell culture;
- nanocarriers for therapeutic agents to stimulate autophagy in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases;
- glycopolymers for studying intermolecular interactions with peptides and proteins.
The third research area focuses broadly on the valorization of plant biomass, including its chemoenzymatic conversion into high-value-added products, as well as the extraction and characterization of bioactive compounds. These activities are carried out in line with the principles of green chemistry and sustainable development, using, among other approaches, enzymes, ionic liquids, and deep eutectic solvents.
The group also focuses on the use of enzymes in a wide range of biotransformation processes with applications across various industries, particularly the chemical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries.
Equipment
- FT-IR Nicolet 6700 (with ATR attachment)
- Agilent 400 MHz NMR spectrometer
- Varian 600 MHz NMR spectrometer
- ElectraSyn 2.0
- Jasco V-760 UV–Vis spectrophotometer
- TA Instruments Nano ITC microcalorimeter
- Tecan Infinite F200 Pro multimode microplate reader
- Sonics VCX 130 sonicator
- Eppendorf 5804/R centrifuge
- Biotage Isolera flash chromatography system
Group Members:
Research Team:
Dr hab. inż. Jakub Adamek, prof. PŚ (jakub.adamek@polsl.pl)
Dr hab. inż. Danuta Gillner, prof. PŚ (danuta.gillner@polsl.pl)
Dr inż. Mirosława Grymel (miroslawa.grymel@polsl.pl)
Dr inż. Anna Kasprzycka (anna.kasprzycka@polsl.pl)
Dr inż. Dominika Kozicka (dominika.kozicka@polsl.pl)
Dr inż. Anna Kuźnik (anna.kuznik@polsl.pl)
Dr inż. Małgorzata Milewska (malgorzata.milewska@polsl.pl)
Dr hab. inż. Gabriela Pastuch-Gawołek, prof. PŚ (gabriela.pastuch@polsl.pl)
Dr inż. Agnieszka Październiok-Holewa (agnieszka.pazdzierniok-holewa@polsl.pl)
Mgr inż. Magdalena Skawińska (magdalena.skawinska@polsl.pl)
Prof. dr hab. inż. Ilona Wandzik (ilona.wandzik@polsl.pl)
PhD Students:
Mgr inż. Katarzyna Dudzisz (katarzyna.dudzisz@polsl.pl)
Mgr inż. Sławomir Kowalczyk (slawomir.kowalczyk@polsl.pl)
