Medicinal chemistry of analogues of nucleobases and nucleosides

In collaboration with the group of Prof. M. Hajduch at the Palacky University Olomouc and with Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Foster City, CA, U.S.A.), we design and synthesize novel modified nucleosides as potential antivirals or cytostatic agent. In the recent years, we have systematically explored diverse substituted and fused 7-deazapurine nucleoside analogues and discovered several classes of very potent cytostatic compounds with antitumor effect at low nanomolar concentrations. We also extensively study the metabolism and mechanism of action and selected most promising compounds undergo preclinical testing and development.