The clinical use of AMPs is currently limited by issues like toxicity and poor stability. We want to understand the underlying molecular mechanisms of interactions between AMPs and with membranes. By identifying trends, we hope to eventually establish design principles for creating new and improved AMPs.
To achieve this, we are establishing a framework that combines experimental small-angle scattering data directly into molecular simulations. While experiments often provide indirect information and simulations face timescale and accuracy limits, integrating them will give us an accurate, molecular-level understanding of mechanisms.
The research will be hosted at the Hylleraas Centre. Henrique Musseli Cezar will lead the project and hire a postdoctoral researcher to join the team. The work relies on a strong collaboration between the Department of Chemistry and the Department of Pharmacy, working closely with experimental experts Professor Reidar Lund and Associate Professor Josefine Eilsø Nielsen.
Announcement of the grants: https://www.forskningsradet.no/nyheter/2026/banebrytande-forskarar-far-236-millionar-kroner/