Research

The work conducted at our Department encompasses basic and applied research in the area of inorganic and organic chemistry, with focus on the synthesis and analysis of bioactive compounds. These tasks are carried out in cooperation with several scientific institutions in Slovakia and abroad. The research staff are authors or co-authors of numerous scientific publications in scientific journals, monographs and textbooks. The Department has at its disposal a number of modern analytical instruments (mass spectrometry, HPLC, elemental analysis, IR and UV-VIS spectroscopy, etc.), as well as laboratory equipment for organic and inorganic chemical synthesis. The scientific activities of the Department are supported also by several research grants.

The research concentrates especially on following subjects:

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Bioinorganic chemistry - preparation of biologically active metal complexes

This subject area involves reasearch on chemical synthesis of metal complexes, their biological activities and potential applications as metallodrugs (metallopharmaceuticals) in the therapy of various diseases. Among them are cytotoxic complexes of vanadium or ruthenium (for the therapy of cancer), copper complexes with antioxidative (antiradical) activity, and complexes of various metals as enzyme inhibitors (e.g., inhibitors of urease). →in detail

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Membrane-active amphiphilic compounds

Considerable part of the research activities of the Department is concerned with the preparation and investigation of physico-chemical, aggregational and biological properties of membrane-active amphiphilic compounds. Special interest is given to the relationships between the structures of these bioactive molecules and their physico-chemical and biological properties. →in detail

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Analysis of illicit drugs

The research on the analysis of addiction-causing substances is carried out within the framework of the Center of Excellence of Security Research. In cooperation with the Institute of Forensic Science (KEÚ PZ SR) new methods for the identification and determination of illicit and abused substances are being developed using modern techniques of chemical analysis, especially mass-spectrometry techniques in combination with various separation methods, such as GC-MS, LC-MS, MS/MS, etc. Much attention is paid to the analysis of new synthetic "designer drugs" and counterfeit medications.

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Chemical modification of natural bioactive substances

The research is aimed at chemical modification of natural substances with antimicrobial and anticancer activity. The focus is on polyphenols and triterpenes isolated from herbal material which are subsequently transformed into phosphonium salts. These salts can then be selectively transported into mitochondria.