The two-year project of Dr Konovalova now being funded seeks factors enabling the prediction of the supramolecular architecture in biologically active polymorphic modifications of aminopyrimidine derivatives. The chemist is focusing on the role of polymorphism in biologically active substances, which is of great importance for drug development.
Different polymorphic forms of the same compound have the same chemical composition (stoichiometry), yet the spatial arrangement of the atoms differs. Accordingly, they can display distinct physical, chemical and pharmacological properties. However, the origin of these differences remains insufficiently understood.
In the case of drugs, the breakdown of a crystal is often the first step in interaction with the human body and is determined in part by the specific spatial structure of the molecule. Consequently, the crystal structure of the active agent molecules plays an important role in determining how a drug works. Through quantum-chemical calculations, Dr Konovalova will provide insights into the energy landscapes, intermolecular interactions and crystal stability of aminopyrimidine derivatives in her new project, contributing to the targeted development of new drugs.
About …
Dr Iryna Konovalova studied chemistry and completed her doctorate at V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University in Ukraine. Her research field involves the examination of the molecule and crystal structures of aromatic compounds. She is currently a Senior Researcher at the State Scientific “Institute for Single Crystals” of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, in the Department of X-ray Diffraction Studies and Quantum Chemistry. From 2023 to 2025, she was an MSCA4Ukraine Fellow at HHU.
SAFE programme
The two-year pilot project provides fellowships for doctoral and postdoctoral researchers at risk, enabling them to continue their scientific work within the EU. The programme, which has a budget of €12 million provided by the European Parliament, serves as a test case for a future European fellowship programme.
SAFE is being implemented by a consortium led by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), in collaboration with Campus France, PAUSE/Collège de France and the Mediterranean Universities Union (UNIMED). Out of 359 applicants, 56 fellows (44 postdoctoral researchers, 12 doctoral candidates) from 15 countries were selected to continue their research in 13 EU Member States in this project phase.
More information: https://saferesearchers.eu/