Abstract
Advanced self-assembly strategies enable the targeted synthesis of supramolecular systems and materials with increasing structural and functional complexity. In the field of nanosized coordination cages, we develop non-statistical assembly methods based on ‘shape complementary assembly’ (SCA), ‘coordination sphere engineering’ (CSE) and ‘adjacent backbone interactions’ (ABI). With a focus on multi-chromophore systems, we investigate the suitability of modular assemblies for light-induced charge separation and vectorial excitation transport. We also study ‘complex systems’ behaviour by following the stimuli-responsive population and evolution of co-existing species in mixtures.
Furthermore, we investigate the supramolecular chemistry of DNA G-quadruplexes (GQs). Inspired by metalloprotein coordination environments, we incorporate ligands such as imidazoles into guanine-rich oligonucleotides that fold into GQs with a binding site for transition metals. Metal binding induces GQ formation and folding into specific topologies. Paramagnetic copper(II) ions, rigidly placed inside modified GQs, are used as EPR spin labels with applications in structural biology.
Biography
Guido H. Clever studied chemistry in Heidelberg and obtained his PhD in 2006 from LMU Munich. He then joined the lab of Mitsuhiko Shionoya at the University of Tokyo as an Alexander-von-Humboldt/JSPS postdoc and later Assistant Professor. In 2010 he became Junior Professor at Georg-August University Göttingen, then W2 professor in 2013. In 2015, he became Full Professor at TU Dortmund University, holding the chair of Bioinorganic Chemistry. He obtained the GDCh ADUC Young Investigator Award, the FCI Dozenten Award and an ERC Consolidator grant. He is board member of DFG Cluster of Excellence RESOLV EXC2033 and Graduate School “Confinement-controlled chemistry” GRK2376. He serves as vice dean of the department of chemistry.