My research asks how accessible coordination chemistry can progressively approach the selectivity and adaptability of biological systems.
How can we engineer molecular recognition using accessible coordination chemistry while progressively approaching the sophistication of biological systems?
Chemistry has long sought to emulate one of Nature's most remarkable achievements: the ability of biological systems to recognize specific molecules with extraordinary affinity and selectivity. From enzymes to membrane receptors, molecular recognition governs virtually every biological process.
Yet despite decades of research in supramolecular chemistry, designing artificial receptors that combine simplicity, robustness and biological-like selectivity remains a major challenge.
Over the past decade, I have developed a research programme addressing this question from complementary perspectives. Rather than focusing on one receptor family or one analytical application, my work explores molecular recognition as a general chemical principle.
Coordination chemistry, supramolecular chemistry, fluorescence sensing and biomolecular systems are used as complementary tools to understand how selective recognition emerges from increasingly complex chemical environments.
The programme progresses through increasingly structured chemical environments. Each stage preserves the same objective: understand where selectivity comes from and translate that understanding into practical molecular recognition systems.
Biomimetic coordination complexes and metal-extrusion indicator displacement assays for selective phosphate recognition. These systems show how thermodynamic control and simple, commercially accessible components can generate remarkably efficient sensing platforms.
Self-assembled arene ruthenium architectures integrating chromogenic and fluorogenic reporters for aqueous recognition of ATP, cyanide and other biologically relevant analytes. These systems reveal how the receptor environment can redirect recognition mechanisms.
Synthetic recognition motifs operating within biological macromolecules. Protein cavities provide organized amino-acid interactions, geometric confinement and tunable second-sphere environments that are difficult to reproduce in conventional synthetic receptors.
Recognition is governed not only by the primary binding event but also by the surrounding molecular environment. Secondary interactions, confinement, solvent exposure, cooperativity and thermodynamic control determine whether a molecular guest simply binds or is genuinely selected.
Use metal–ligand chemistry to create selective, readable sensing responses.
Use self-assembly to organize multiple interactions around the recognition event.
Use amino-acid residues and protein cavities to regulate access, orientation and stabilization.
The same question that drives my sensing research also applies to therapeutic systems: how can molecular recognition be used to control where a functional metal complex acts?
From light activation to target recognition: designing photosensitizers that do more than simply generate reactive oxygen species.
My work in photodynamic therapy explores metal-based photosensitizers as molecularly engineered systems in which photochemistry and biological recognition are considered together.
A particular focus has been placed on targeted photodynamic therapy, where ruthenium- and osmium-based complexes are coupled to recognition motifs directed toward biologically relevant proteins and enzymes. Carbonic anhydrases, cathepsin B, cyclooxygenases, EGFR and Hsp90 illustrate the diversity of molecular targets that can be exploited to improve localization and selectivity.
This research connects coordination chemistry with chemical biology: the metal complex provides tunable photophysical and redox properties, while the targeting element introduces a molecular recognition event that can influence cellular uptake, localization and biological response.
Photoactive coordination complexes with tunable excited-state properties, chemical robustness and opportunities for ligand-based targeting.
Metal complexes extending excitation toward longer wavelengths and offering complementary photophysical behaviour for PDT applications.
Recognition motifs are used to direct photoactive complexes toward enzymes and receptors, linking molecular targeting with light-triggered cytotoxicity.
Photodynamic therapy is not a separate research axis. It is another expression of the same scientific problem: engineering molecular environments so that a chemical function becomes selective. In sensing, recognition controls the analytical response. In PDT, recognition can control localization and biological action.
“Creativity often emerges from simplicity, and meaningful discoveries begin with well-formulated scientific questions.”
An original aspect of my scientific career has been the simultaneous development of university research and educational research. Early in my career, I became convinced that authentic scientific research should not be restricted to universities.
In parallel with my university research, I established a long-term chemistry research programme in secondary education, where high-school students participate in genuine projects addressing unanswered questions in coordination chemistry and molecular sensing.
This educational laboratory evolved beyond its pedagogical objectives. It generated peer-reviewed publications, presentations at the Swiss Chemical Society Fall Meeting, scientific awards and international collaborations. More importantly, it demonstrated that educational innovation and scientific excellence can reinforce one another.
Biochemosensors, photodynamic therapy, artificial metalloenzymes and molecular recognition.
Development of genuine chemistry research projects with high-school students and exploration of scientific education as a source of innovation.
Artificial phosphate transferases and hydrogen transferases based on biotin–streptavidin technology.
Awards recognizing a research trajectory built at the interface of molecular chemistry, scientific creativity and authentic research-based education.
Swiss Chemical Society
Recognition of innovative chemistry teaching and the development of authentic, socially relevant research projects with students using accessible experimental resources.
EPFL
Recognition connected to the development of an original scientific and educational approach bringing genuine chemical research into student training.
Swiss Chemical Society Fall Meeting
Scientific recognition for research presented to the Swiss chemistry community.
Early recognition in a scientific trajectory combining chemistry, experimentation and innovation.
Research featured through journal covers, inside-cover artwork and Swiss Science Concentrates.
Peer-reviewed publications spanning molecular recognition, supramolecular coordination chemistry, photodynamic therapy, artificial metalloenzymes and scientific education.
Ongoing and preprint research extending the programme toward artificial metalloenzyme mapping, evolvable protein-confined receptors and synthetic-biology-inspired chembioreceptors.
My ambition is to combine coordination chemistry, supramolecular chemistry, artificial metalloenzymes and biomolecular engineering to create increasingly sophisticated molecular recognition systems. The objective is a new generation of artificial receptors capable of approaching the selectivity and adaptability observed in Nature while remaining chemically accessible, modular and broadly applicable to sensing, diagnostics and catalysis.