Dynamic modifications of biomacromolecules: mechanism and chemical interventions

Biological macromolecules (proteins, nucleic acids, polysaccharides, etc.) are the building blocks of life, which constantly undergo chemical modifications that are often reversible and spatial-temporally regulated. These dynamic properties of chemical modifications play fundamental roles in physiological processes as well as pathological changes of living systems. The Major Research Project (MRP) funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)—“Dynamic modifications of biomacromolecules: mechanism and chemical interventions” aims to integrate cross-disciplinary approaches at the interface of chemistry, life sciences, medicine, mathematics, material science and information science with the following goals: (i) developing specific labeling techniques and detection methods for dynamic chemical modifications of biomacromolecules, (ii) analyzing the molecular mechanisms and functional relationships of dynamic chemical modifications of biomacromolecules, and (iii) exploring biomacromolecules and small molecule probes as potential drug targets and lead compounds.