As peptide engineers, we aim to use peptides as platforms to explore fundamental problems at the interface of Chemistry and Biology, particularly in the areas of bimolecular recognition and sensing, through a multidisciplinary approach involving a combination of chemical synthesis, biophysical and biochemical methods, and computational chemistry. More specifically, our work has focused on three main topics:The synergistic integration of coordination chemistry and peptide engineering to… Show more As peptide engineers, we aim to use peptides as platforms to explore fundamental problems at the interface of Chemistry and Biology, particularly in the areas of bimolecular recognition and sensing, through a multidisciplinary approach involving a combination of chemical synthesis, biophysical and biochemical methods, and computational chemistry. More specifically, our work has focused on three main topics:The synergistic integration of coordination chemistry and peptide engineering to construct new supramolecular assemblies with biological activity, particularly new DNA-binding agents that target non-canonical structures (G-quadruplex and three-way junctions).The development of new fluorescent probes including small molecules, as well as designed peptides for the specific detection of relevant biomolecules (e.g, RNA, oncoproteins, kinases), as well as cellular processes.The application of peptide engineering for the development of new materials, including templated metal nano clusters, conductive peptides—this within the framework of the e-Prot FET-OPEN project—and new biocompatible peptide catalysts. Show less