Our findings, supported by NMR conformational analyses, reveal ferrocene’s ability to act as a versatile and effective dynamic linker in PROTACs. This opens up new avenues for designing next-gen chemical tools and starting points for therapeutics with optimised molecular dynamics. 🌟 4/5

Compared to benchmark PROTACs from 3 different classes, not just BETs (!) but also VHL and CRBN degraders, FerroTACs achieved:
✅Intramolecular interactions that foster a folded state in non-polar environments
✅Robust target degradation
✅Improved cell permeability
✅Reduced efflux liabilities
3/5

We integrated in the linker ferrocene—an organometallic structure with freely rotating cyclopentadienyl rings around a sandwiched iron metal ion. This unique “molecular hinge” introduces dynamic flexibility and chameleonicity to PROTACs. ⚙️✨ 2/5

🚨 Exciting News! 🚨

What happens when unconventional ideas drive to push boundaries? 🚀 Meet FerroTACs: a novel #PROTAC design using ferrocene as core unit to re-imagining linker design and fine-tune their phys-chem properties. Learn more about our work led by @alesalerno.bsky.social here: 🧪👇 1/5

So privileged that CHI-Healthtech brought their flagship #DDC conference to Europe, in sunny ☀️ Barcelona! Enjoying tapas and sangria with Heide Düvel @chemb.bsky.social @rpnowak.bsky.social Gopal Sapkota, Ed Tate @nurkocaturk.bsky.social Hannah Peters, Rima Alawar. Thanks for the invitation Tanuja!

Nice write-up of the successful SMART TPD symposium in Shenzhen, China - co-organised with Nat Gray, Nieng Yan, Peng Chan and Shixiang Yan. So enjoyed the opportunity. #TPD #SMARTsymposia

www.szbl.ac.cn/en/infomatio...

So proud of my former PhD student Tom Webb who defended his thesis with flying colors yesterday! Many thanks to @robvanmontfort.bsky.social from the ICR and Beatriz Baragana from our own Dundee DDU. Also great to host Johan Johansson from AZ it was great to have you visiting us!