Molecular Interactions - Bringing Chemistry to Life



May 15th - 19th, 2006, Bozen, Italy

The scientific program lists all speakers and lecture topics.

Intermolecular interactions are of central importance to chemistry and biology; they control molecular events and states. The macrostructure and function of biomolecular compounds - proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates and lipids - are governed by intermolecular interactions, as are synthetic chemistry and catalysis of chemical reactions.

Understanding the evolution of biopolymers is essential for rationalising the directed and undirected design of functional molecules. Large-scale experiments or detailed computational studies are often impractical. Therefore, simple model systems, such as RNA secondary structure and lattice proteins have to be adapted to study general statistical and topological features of genotype (sequence) to phenotype (structure) maps. Cellular processes require the interaction of many biomacromolecules such as proteins, RNA, carbohydrates etc. within and across several cellular compartments. Determining the collective network of such interactions is an important aspect of understanding the role and regulation of the individual members of such interacting networks.

Chemistry can be brought to life through scientists' enthusiasm and inventiveness, as well as the aforementioned molecular interactions in living organisms. Complex syntheses of natural products, elegantly controlled chemical reactions, the understanding of how proteins fold or DNA replicates, design of new pharmaceuticals or the docking of ligands in targets are excellent examples of this. Knowledge of molecular interactions is as essential as that of molecular structure in understanding how these systems function.

Scientific Committee: Martin Hicks and Carsten Kettner, Beilstein-Institut, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

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