Supramolecular Chemistry, Enzymology, and Carbohydrate Chemistry

The Sophie Beeren Group is particularly interested in the development of Enzyme-Mediated Dynamic Combinatorial Chemistry as a novel synthetic methodology that exploits artificial template molecules to guide enzymatic reactions and expand the range of possible products beyond those found in nature. We explore the supramolecular chemistry of carbohydrates using a systems chemistry approach, where molecular recognition is studied within complex molecular networks.

Our work furthermore involves enzyme-catalysed dynamic systems of cyclodextrins (including large-ring cyclodextrins and modified cyclodextrins) and linear glycans. We synthesize templates ranging from bolaamphiphiles to superchaotropic anions and photoswitchable molecules. Additionally, we develop stimuli-responsive systems, optical assays, and mechanically interlocked molecules to probe and control molecular recognition. Across all projects, we integrate chemical synthesis, enzymatic processes, and supramolecular design to uncover principles of molecular recognition and create tools for manipulating complex chemical and biological networks.