The research program of the Feringa group is focussed on synthetic and physical organic chemistry. Inspired by Nature's principles of molecular assembly, recognition, transport, motion and catalysis, the goal is to exploit the full potential of synthetic chemistry to create new structures and functions. A major part of the research is directed towards dynamic molecular systems. The focus is on molecular nanoscience, novel responsive materials and photo-pharma exploring biohybrid systems, self-assembly, molecular switches and motors. A second part of the program deals with the development (and application in chemical biology) of novel stereoselective synthesis methods and asymmetric catalysis. Chirality is a leading theme and over the years a unique and broad expertise in fundamental aspects of stereochemistry has been acquired including chiroptical phenomena, chiral amplification and origin of chirality.
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| Molecular Switches and Motors | Asymmetric Catalysis | Chirality | Photopharma and Biohybrid Systems | Self-assembly, Gels and Responsive Materials |
Prof. Ben L. Feringa obtained his PhD. at the University of Groningen, where he was appointed full professor in 1988, after working as research scientist for Shell. Under his guidance the Feringa group has developed extensive expertise in the fields of organic chemistry, nanotechnology, asymmetric catalysis. His discovery of the molecular motor ranks highly among the many discoveries made over the years. (Read more.)
Please follow this link to listen to a nice sound clip in which our group member dr. Mickel Hansen explains how to use light to disrupt the communication between bacteria.
Sound clip in Dutch.
Chemical and Engineering News also dedicated a ... Read more
Mickel J. Hansen, Jacques I. C. Hille, Wiktor Szymanski, Arnold J.M. Driessen and Ben L. Feringa, Chem 2019 (DOI: 10.1016/j.chempr.2019.03.005)
Chemical Locking in Molecular Tunneling Junctions Enables Nonvolatile Memory with Large On–Off Ratios
Direct N-alkylation of unprotected amino acids with alcohols
Comparative Study of Photoswitchable Zinc‐Finger Domain and AT‐Hook Motif for Light‐Controlled Peptide–DNA Binding