The European Peptide Society Newsletter

THE EUROPEAN PEPTIDE SOCIETY NEWSLETTER

ISSUE NUMBER 53, FEBRUARY 2016

A Message from the Chairpersons of the 34th EPS Peptide Science in Finland 23rd Polish Peptide Symposium 5th Austrian Peptide Symposium 2015 Robert Schwyzer (1920 – 2015) EPS Founder Medal presentation

Published online by the Journal of Peptide Science The Official Journal of the European Peptide Society A Message from the Chairpersons of the 34th European Peptide Symposium

Cover photo: The new Paulinum of the

University of Leipzig, the Symposium TH European Peptide Germany – Leipzig Venue of the forthcoming 34th EPS 34 Symposium 04 September 2016 to TH International Peptide 09 September 2016 8 Symposium IN THIS ISSUE www.34eps-2016.org A Message from the Chairpersons of the 34th EPS ...... 2 Peptide Science in Finland . . .3 Dear Friends, Partners and Colleagues, 23rd Polish Peptide Symposium ...... 6 5th Austrian Peptide It is our great pleasure to welcome you at the 34th European Peptide Symposium 2015 ...... 9 Symposium and the 8th International Peptide Symposium, that will take Robert Schwyzer (1920–2015) 12 EPS Founder Medal place from September 4th to 9th in Leipzig, Germany. presentation ...... 16 We expect participants from all over the world working in all aspects of Society Officers ...... 17 Calendar ...... 18 this prosperous field of peptide science – ● from chemical synthesis to biology NEWSLETTER EDITOR Professor Krzysztof Rolka ● from Academia to Industry! Faculty of Chemistry University of Gdansk ● from experienced, well-known experts to motivated PL-80308 Gdansk, Poland Tel: + 48 58 5235088 new-comers in the field Fax: + 48 58 5235012 E-mail : [email protected] The European and International Peptide Symposium 2016 provides an excellent platform to exchange ideas on latest approaches and SOCIETY NEWSLETTER discoveries in all aspects of peptide science. Join us! Come to Leipzig, This Newsletter is published in cooperation with the Journal of Peptide to this beautiful city in the heart of Germany, with a long tradition in Science twice a year and can be obtained as a free PDF download from the science, culture and trade. European Peptide Society website at: www.eurpepsoc.com Welcome to Leipzig – don’t miss this great event! Journal of Peptide Science, the official journal of the European Peptide Society EPS, is an online journal published by Annette G. Beck-Sickinger John Wiley & Sons Ltd on the Wiley Online Library as 12 issues each year. Ulf Diederichsen Information on and access to the journal Chairs of Symposium can be obtained at: wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/jpepsci

2 CONFERENCE REPORT Peptide Science in Finland

Finnish Peptide Society (FIPS) – symposia 2015 report

innish Peptide Society (FIPS, Mart Saarma, Jean Martinez, Mohamed sium. Neurodegerative diseases are http://www.biobio.org/peptide/ Marahiel, Marcel Jaspars, Tambet increasing in Western world and their Findex.html) was established 1997 Teesalu, Jouni Jokela, Pirjo Laakkonen treatment is a great challenge. Novel to promote peptide science in Finland. and Anja Sandström. The main themes of approaches for treatment of these FIPS is a subdivision of BioBio society, the symposium were emerging targets in diseases are needed and were presented which promotes biological research in central nervous system (CNS) diseases, by several speakers. Professor Alan P Finland, and of course member of EPS. macrocycles in drug space, green Kozikowski from University of Illinois at Although FIPS is a small society, con- chemistry and green medicinal chemistry, Chicago talked about HDAC6 inhibitors in sisting of about 40 members, its biannual peptides as drugs and natural peptides. CNS (and cancer). Our “old grand man” symposia have recently attracted inter- Overall joint theme was related to drugs professor Jean Martinez (Montpellier national audience and much more in middle space, i.e., to drug molecules University) spoke about novel peptides participants than just the members of the which are bigger than conventional small that target brain angiotensin converting society. Previous symposium “Emerging molecules and smaller than proteins. enzyme and stimulate dopamine release targets and molecules in middle space”, Such molecules include peptides and in CNS. These peptides, identified using was jointly organized by FIPS, the Finnish peptidomimetics. Traditional screening an impressive combination of bioinfor- Synthetic Chemistry Society and the campaigns for small molecules have not matics, chemical, biochemical and analy- Medicinal Chemistry Committee of the been very successful, which has caused tical approaches, may be useful for Finnish Pharmaceutical Society (FinMed shift towards bigger molecules and novel treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, Chem) at Helsinki on August 24–27, approaches. Professor Eckhard Ottow like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. 2015. The symposium attracted over 100 from German Chemical Society, GDCh, Professor Mart Saarma (University of participants of whom a fourth were from highlighted this and other trends and Helsinki), one of the leading researchers abroad. The audience consisted mainly challenges in drug discovery in his talk. of nerve growth factors, introduced novel academic and industry scientists, and He also stressed the importance of growth factors and peptides for the students. medicinal chemistry in drug discovery treatment of Parkinson’s disease. These One of the aims of the joint symposium and development. growth factors have been very promising was to strengthen the dialogue between First day of the symposium was started in preclinical animal tests. peptide science, synthetic chemistry and with synthetic chemistry and posters. Third day was dedicated to medicinal medicinal chemistry. This was already Along with medicinal chemistry and green chemistry and macrocycles. While the last started two years earlier when FIPS chemistry themes the second day day’s topic was “Peptide drugs and organized first joint meeting with FinMed included also peptide related topics in a natural peptides”. During these days both Chem. Joint symposium also allowed us session of “CNS targets and neuro- natural and synthetic peptides were to invite as many as 20 prominent peptides”, a theme which was also con- addressed. Many natural peptides, plenary speakers, of whom FIPS invited tinued on the fourth day of the sympo- including those produced by certain

3 Peptide Science in Finland

bacteria and algae, and other marine lasso-peptides, which are stable peptides produced by cyanobacteria and how organisms, have properties which makes produced by bacteria and have unique these can be produced by enzymatic those suitable for drug development. properties which make them interesting methods in E. coli. Dr Jouni Jokela Professor Mohamed Marahiel from candidates for drug development. Pro- (University of Helsinki) continued this Philipps University Marburg gave an fessor Marcel Jaspars (University of topic by describing several peptides pro- interesting and stimulating talk about Aberdeen) introduced us to the peptides duced by cyanobacteria. Professor John

“Emerging targets and molecules in middle space” symposium awardees and some of the plenary speakers. Plenary speakers from left, Mart Saarma, Pirjo Laakkonen, Anja Sandström (back row), John Sigurd Svendsen, Eckhard Ottow and Jean Martinez. Awardees on front row, from left, Kadri Toome, Anu Humisto, Mira Kuusisto, Tuomas Tolvanen and Annakaisa Heikinheimo (Arjan van Adrichem is not in the picture).

4 Sigurd Svendsen (University of Tromsø) of molecules that retain the binding the tradition of the joint symposium is addressed antimicrobial peptides. properties and biological activity of the planned to be continued, the next While phage-display derived peptides peptides, but are structurally different symposium to be held at 2017. were briefly touched on several talks the from the natural peptides. The chairmen of the symposium and new developments and applications of The above captures only a small part of organizing committees were Professor this technique were presented by Pro- the excellent talks in the symposium. In Kristiina Wähälä (FinMedChem), Profes- fessor Tambet Teesalu (University of addition to 20 plenary talks, 15 other oral sor Ari Koskinen (Finnish Synthetic Tartu, Estonia) who talked about tumor communications were presented. These Chemistry Society) and Dr. Hannu homing peptides, their discovery and included several excellent talks by Koistinen (FIPS). applications, and Dr Pirjo Laakkonen students. In poster session 32 posters FIPS was also one of the organizer of (University of Helsinki) who presented were presented. Best three posters and the 1st Finnish Symposium on Biological peptide-based brain tumor targeting. Both three oral presentations by students were Mass Spectrometry, which was held on speakers addressed the use of homing awarded. Prizes for best oral presen- April 14 – 16, 2015 at Tampere, Finland. peptides for tumor imaging and targeted tations were given to Tuomas Tolvanen The symposium was organized by the delivery of drugs. Such peptides have a (University of Helsinki), Mira Kuusisto Finnish Proteomics Society (FinnProt), the great potential to diminish side effects of (University of Jyväskylä) and Arjan van Finnish Mass Spectrometry Society the current treatments. Adrichem (University of Helsinki), and (FMSS) and FIPS. The plenary speakers The second last talk of the symposium, poster prizes to Annakaisa Heikinheimo were Nevena Zivanovic (University of before professor Mart Saarma’s lecture (Aalto University), Kadri Toome (Univer- Zürich, Switzerland), Oliver Schilling ending the scientific part of the sympo- sity of Tartu) and Anu Humisto (University (Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Ger- sium, was given by Dr Anja Sandström of Helsinki). Abstract book is available at many) and Kim Ekroos (Zora Biosciences, (Uppsala University). Dr Sandström’s the symposium webpage http://finmed Finland). lecture “Peptides as starting points in drug chem.fi/. discovery” introduced approaches to In addition to scientific program, Contributed by Ale Närvänen, handle the challenges, like poor pharma- participants had a change to mingle board member of FIPS and EPS cokinetic properties, of peptides. Such during lunch times, coffee breaks, get Hannu Koistinen, chair of FIPS approaches include chemical modifica- together and University of Helsinki tions and peptidomimetics, i.e., creation reception. Based on the positive feedback

5 CONFERENCE REPORT 23rd Polish Peptide Symposium

Spala, Poland 20 August – 3 September 2015

he 23rd Polish Peptide Symposium allowed the free exchange of information Chemistry, Technical University of Lodz. was held from 30 August to 3 between the participants of the sympo- Honorary patrons of the Symposium TSeptember 2015 in Spala, near sium. All information about the Sym- were: Rector of Lodz University of Lodz. Polish Peptide Symposium is a posium are available on the website: Technology prof. Stanislaw Bielecki, Dean cyclical scientific conference, taking place www.23pps.p.lodz.pl of the Faculty of Chemistry, Lodz regularly every two years. Despite the fact The Organizing Committee of the University of Technology Prof. Jerzy that it is a national conference, the Symposium has been formed by the staff Gebicki and the Marshal of Lodz Region conference language was English, which and students of the Institute of Organic Witold Stepi´n. The Symposium was held

Group photo of the participants of 23rd Polish Peptide Symposium

6 under the auspices of the Polish Chemical Society (PTChem) and European Peptide Society (EPS). The number of the Sympo- sium participants was impressive:152 active participants presenting lectures, oral and poster presentations, including 15 from abroad, making the total number of participants exceeding 300. 23rd Polish Peptide Symposium brought together both representatives of academia, as well as industry, and companies supporting research in this area. As the result of the multi- dimensional nature of the 23rd Polish Peptide Symposium, the Symposium was attended by experts from peptides/ proteins chemistry, biologists, bio- chemists, biophysicists, as well as medical doctors and pharma. The interest and active participation at the Symposium of the representatives from the industry was indicated by four lectures presenting the research results from the laboratories of Prof. Anna Maria Papini, Keynote Speaker of the Symposium chemical and biotechnological companies. The scientific program of the con- objective of such a selection of topics has are undoubtedly peptides and proteins. ference was divided into sections been the consolidation of fundamental During the symposium there were 45 covering: Chemistry of Peptides and research with attempts to its application presented lectures, speakers of which Amino Acids, Peptides/Peptidomimetics aimed at the understanding of the were invited guests: in Biomedical Research, Peptides/Pep- molecular mechanism of pathogenic pro- Dieter Seebach – Eidgenössische tidomimetics for Medicine, Enzyme Sub- cesses, diagnosis of diseases charac- Technische Hochschule (ETH) in strates and Inhibitors, Bioconjugates, teristic for modern civilization and intro- Zurich, Switzerland, Peptide-Protein / Protein-Protein Inter- duction into practice of a new generation Anna Maria Papini – University of actions. of drugs that are based on the most Florence, Italy, The assumption and overarching biocompatible active substances, which Ferenc Hudecz – Eötvös Loránd

7 23rd Polish Peptide Symposium

University Budapes, Hungary, Katarzyna Kiec-Kononowicz – Jagiellonian University, Poland, Michael Gütschow – University of Bonn, Germany, Jeffrey Bode – Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) in Zurich, Switzerland and representatives of research centers and industry from Poland and foreign countries. It is worth emphasizing the very active participation of young scientists at 23rd Polish Peptide Symposium, both in the poster session, as well as oral presentations. During the poster session 72 poster communications were presented. The Scientific Committee evaluated 42 posters presented by young participants and selected three of them. The winner of The Conference Chairperson Prof. Beata Kolesinska (third to the left), Prof. Ferenc Hudecz (fourth to the competition for the best poster was the left) and Prof. Krzysztof Rolka (second to the left) presenting awards to the winners of the competition for the best poster: Przemyslaw Karpowicz (to the left), Paulina Wójcik (to the right) and Przemyslaw Karpowicz from University of Malgorzata Walczak (second to the right) Gdansk, the second place went to Paulina Wójcik from Wroclaw University of Technology, and the third place went to Malgorzata Walczak, from Lodz University The Symposium was attended by 16 presenting scientific impact of 23rd Polish of Technology. All the winners have chemical and biotechnological companies Peptide Symposium. received books as awards, and from Poland and abroad. The organizing Przemyslaw Karpowicz was additionally committee is grateful to all sponsors, Contributed by Beata Kolesinska honored by the Cup donated by the patrons of the sessions and exhibitors for Marshal of Lodz. The four travel grants their support. Media partners of the facilitating participation of young scientist, Symposium were: Analityka, Laborant students and PhD students in the Biotechnologia.pl, Orbital and Zycie Symposium were offered by company Uczelni, which in addition to information Peptydy.pl. on the websites also prepared the articles 8 CONFERENCE REPORT 5th Austrian Peptide Symposium

Vienna, Austria 2–3 December 2015

he 5th Austrian Peptide Sympo- signaling related to feeding activity in fruit therapeutics, and included the lecture of sium was held at the Van-Swieten flies and by Yoonseong Park (Kansas State Kristian Strømgaard (University of TAuditorium in Vienna on the 2nd University, USA) on the role of neuro- Copenhagen, Denmark) on targeting and 3rd of December 2015 and was co- peptide signaling in insects as possible protein-protein interactions with peptide- organized by Christian Gruber (Austrian target for arthropod pest control. In based inhibitors, followed by the lecture of representative to the EPS, Medical addition there were two lectures selected Rosa Lemmens-Gruber (University of University of Vienna) and Christian from abstracts held by Sven Zels (KU Vienna, Austria) on the therapeutic Becker (University of Vienna). The event Leuven, Belgium) who reported on the potential of synthetic TNF mimicking was held as a two day symposium C. elegans peptide GPCR project and by peptides, and Paul Alewood (University of including a Satellite Meeting on Giulia Di Giglio (Medical University of Queensland, Australia) on the discovery, “Invertebrate Neuropeptides”. It included Vienna, Austria) who presented her latest synthesis and application of venom- invited lectures given by renowned results on ligand design of human derived peptides. national and international speakers, short oxytocin and vasopressin receptors. Day The poster session, which was held oral presentations on hot topics in peptide one of the Symposium was concluded during the lunch break, featured 21 science, which were selected from the with a speaker’s dinner. posters that were presented and submitted abstracts, and a poster session On day two, of the Symposium the first discussed by PhD students and early- covering manifold aspects of peptide and morning session was focused on bioactive stage researchers. There was also a poster protein research. Overall, more than 80 peptides, their physiology and interaction award competition for the two best poster participants from different European and with receptors or lipids: Maurice Elphick presentations. overseas countries (Australia, Austria, (Queen Mary University of London, UK) The first afternoon session, “Hot Topics Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, held the opening lecture on the evolution in Peptide Science”, included five excel- New Zealand, Serbia, Sweden, and comparative physiology of neuro- lent short oral contributions selected from Switzerland, UK, USA) attended the peptide signaling. Ulf Göransson the submitted abstracts, which were given symposium. This mixture resulted in a (Uppsala University, Sweden) followed by Mario Schubert (University of truly international spirit of the meeting. with a lecture on bioactive properties and Salzburg, Austria; ETH Zürich, Switzer- The Satellite Meeting on “Invertebrate applications of circular peptides. The first land), Tom Podewin (Ludwig-Maximil- Neuropeptides” was held in conjunction session closed with the lecture of ians-University of Munich, Germany), with the mid-term progress seminar of the Burkhard Bechinger (University of Stras- Meder Kamalov (University of Vienna, life science project “Individual function bourg, France) on biophysical aspects of Austria; University of Auckland, New and social role of oxytocin-like neuro- the interaction of peptides and proteins Zealand), Nermina Malanovic (University peptides in ants” (LS13-017) funded by with membrane models and their of Graz, Austria) and Maria Matveenko the Vienna Science and Technology Fund implication in the design of novel (University of Vienna, Austria). (WWTF) and included invited lectures by antibiotics. The second and last afternoon session Christian Wegener (University of The second morning session was covered structural and bioanalytical Würzburg, Germany) on peptidergic dedicated to peptide chemistry and aspects of peptide and protein research

9 5th Austrian Peptide Symposium

Group photo of all participants of the 5th Austrian Peptide Symposium at the Van-Swieten Auditorium of the Medical University of Vienna.

with four lectures. The first speaker, Joel elevated temperatures. Finally, Robert and Anne Conibear (University of Vienna, Schneider (National Cancer Institute, Konrat (Max F. Perutz Laboratories, Austria) for her poster entitled “Sequential USA), reported on the state-of-the-art of Vienna, Austria) gave a lecture on the chemoselective ligations for the synthesis racemic hydrogels formed by enantio- structural characterization of intrinsically of bispecific synthetic antibodies”. A meric mixtures of peptides. Then, Lars disordered proteins. social get-together including a wine- Kristensen (Thermo Fisher Scientific, The scientific part of the symposium tasting guided by Michaela Jöbstl Denmark) presented innovative techni- ended with the announcement of the two (Langenlois, Austria) followed the closing ques and tools for bottom-up proteomics winners of the poster award competition: remarks. Overall, the meeting was utilizing UHPLC and Orbitrap mass Kathrin Thell (Medical University of successful and received a very positive spectrometry. Giorgio Marini (CEM, Vienna) for her poster entitled “Oral feedback thanks to the comprehensive Germany) presented an improved coup- activity of a nature derived cyclic peptide and high-level scientific program, the nice ling method for peptide synthesis at for the treatment of multiple sclerosis”, and friendly atmosphere among the

10 participants and the stimulating place, the Van Swieten Auditorium of the Medical University of Vienna. The five Austrian Peptide Symposia hosted so far in Vienna, Graz and Salzburg have obtained very good resonance within the national and international scientific community, which strongly motivates the Austrian organizers to make of this event a consolidate tradition. Along this line, we are happy to announce that the 2016 meeting of the Austrian Peptide Society will be held again in Vienna and co-organized by Christian Gruber (Medical University of

Vienna) and Christian Becker (University Poster award ceremony. From left to right: Anne Conibear, Chiara Cabrele and Kathrin Thell. of Vienna). We are grateful to everyone who helped in the organization and realization of the peptides&elephants, Rieger-Industriever- 2015 Austrian Peptide Symposium, in tretungen GmbH, VWR, Iris Biotech particular all involved staff members from GmbH, the Vienna Science and Tech- the organizing institutions, the Institute of nology Fund and the European Peptide Biological Chemistry and the Center for Society. Without their generous financial Physiology and Pharmacology. Finally, we support, all this would not have been very much thank the exhibitors, who possible! nicely interacted with the participants during the coffee and lunch breaks, and Contributed by Christian W. Gruber all sponsors of the symposium: Bruker, and Christian Becker Thermo Fisher Scientific, CEM, Bachem,

11 In Memoriam Robert Schwyzer (1920–2015)

rofessor Robert Schwyzer, one of pleting grammar school with the final chemistry. In fact, the 3rd epoch started the most famous peptide chemists exams, World War II broke out which after World War II and had its first Pof the third epoch1 of peptide meant for him to join the Swiss army. In a culmination with the structural analysis science, passed away on September 29, short time, he not only became the and chemical synthesis of oxytocin and 2015, about three weeks after the death youngest lieutenant for air-defense of the vasopressin by Vincent du Vigneaud of his wife Rosa Schwyzer-Nägeli. They army but he also found time to pass the (1953/54; Nobel Prize in 1954) and the left behind their two sons Arnold and final exams, the entry ticket for university. structure of insulin by Frederick Sanger Hans-Kaspar and their daughter Regula In line with family tradition, Robert (1955; Nobel Prize in 1958). For Robert with their families and also Robert’s much Schwyzer began his studies of medicine Schwyzer this meant to leave Karrer’s younger sister Rosmarie who all were at the University of Zurich but he soon institute in 1952 and to join Ciba AG in deeply affected by the loss of both parents/ realized that chemistry fascinated him Basel where he could establish a well grand parents and brother in the same much more. To the disappointment of his equipped and rapidly growing peptide month. father, he continued his studies of group. The four pharmaceutical com- Robert Schwyzer was born on chemistry and joined Paul Karrer’s panies in Basel (Ciba, Geigy, Sandoz and December 8, 1920. In May 1924 the laboratory at the University of Zurich to Roche) were much more interested in the family emigrated from Switzerland to carry out a PhD on vitamins and new field of peptide science in the early Blackduck in the North of Minnesota antivitamins which he completed in 1950s than the academic world at Swiss where his father opened a medical 1947. A year later, he got married to Rosa universities. Robert Schwyzer’s group had practice and served as country doctor and (Rösli) Nägeli whom he had known an excellent start and was to become one surgeon. Robert spent his entire youth in already as a teenager. Their three children of the most successful and innovative Minnesota, got acquainted with American were born in the first half of the 1950s. pharmaceutical peptide divisions which country life and extreme weather condi- Paul Karrer, Nobel laureate in 1937, continued to be a leading unit also when tions ranging from hot summer months to encouraged Robert Schwyzer to continue – years later – Schwyzer was elected very cold and snow-rich winters. After a working in his institute and to focus on professor at the ETH in Zurich. few years in Minneapolis where Robert pteridines and folic acid for his habili- Meanwhile, still in the 1950s, Karrer attended elementary school, the family tation thesis. In 1951 Schwyzer got the changed his view about peptide science returned to Switzerland in 1933 as title of ‘Privatdozent’ (~assistant profes- and he now supported Schwyzer’s new Robert’s father was appointed head sor). However, already around 1950 research area by giving him the surgeon of the newly founded hospital in Schwyzer developed a strong interest for opportunity to continue to lecture at the Bülach near Zurich. Ever since, Bülach the new field of peptide chemistry and University of Zurich. remained the home town for Robert biology, but Karrer thought “….that the Robert Schwyzer and his collaborators Schwyzer. He now attended grammar time is not yet ripe for this….”. Karrer may at Ciba had a decisive impact on the school in Zurich – after intensive training not have foreseen the impact of the development and refinement of the so- in the German language. Before com- upcoming 3rd epoch1 of peptide called classical or solution-phase peptide

12 synthesis: They worked out intelligent from Seattle, the Max Planck Society, the (from 1968) Josef Rudinger3 focused on strategies and tactics for assembling long University of Basel and the ETH in Zurich. peptide research, Professor Herbert Zuber peptide chains by designing optimal The latter offer was the most interesting, on protein function and analysis, and intermediary protected peptide fragments, namely to become professor of molecular Professor Kurt Wüthrich on structural and they developed and applied efficient biology and the founding director of the analysis of peptides and proteins by NMR coupling methods (e.g. active esters), new Institute of Molecular Biology and spectroscopy (for which he received the side-chain protection (e.g. BOC, butyl) Biophysics to be constructed at the ETH Nobel Prize in 2002). On the other hand, and purification methods (e.g. large-scale site on the Hönggerberg in Zurich. the professors of the University of Zurich counter-current distribution). This made it Schwyzer could take decisive influence on (Charles Weissmann, Martin Billeter and possible to produce peptides at the how this new institute should be shaped: colleagues) carried out research on RNA industrial scale (i.e. in decagram to The ETH and the University of Zurich (e.g. life cycle of RNA bacteriophages) kilogram amounts). Selected examples of would integrate all their activities in and DNA (e.g. cloning of interferon) and successful syntheses by Schwyzer and molecular biology in the same joint (much later) on prions. Numerous highly colleagues in the 1950s and early 1960s building. Professors Robert Schwyzer and cited publications emerged from the include gramicidin S (1956), [Ile5]angio- α tensin II (1957), ACTH1-24 (1961), - MSH (1963), β-MSH (1963), and

2 ACTH1-39 (1963/65). The latter repre- sented a milestone for peptide chemistry in the 1960s as it was the longest single peptide chain assembled by chemical synthesis at that time; it was produced in high purity in decagram amounts and exhibited full biological activity. These successes raised the interest in Robert Schwyzer as a scientist by institutions in Switzerland, Germany and the United States: Not only was he promoted to vice director in Ciba’s pharmaceutical research department or invited as guest professor to the University of California in Berkeley and the Univer- sity of Washington in Seattle, he also First publication in Nature of the total synthesis of ACTH1-39 (1963). received offers for chairs or full professor

13 In Memoriam – Robert Schwyzer

Robert Schwyzer around 1965.

research of these groups collaborating in ting this topic already in the 1970s. Many professors and department chairs in the joint building. different tools were developed during this different countries. Robert Schwyzer’s The research studies of Robert time: One of the earlier examples was the research has been published in more than Schwyzer at the ETH (1963–1988) were synthesis of dansylated ACTH by Peter W. 300 papers. For his widespread work, he truly at the interface between bioorganic Schiller who applied intramolecular received a number of awards and prizes, chemistry and biology. He spent much of resonance energy transfer and fluore- e.g. the Otto-Nägeli Prize (1964), the his time on the elucidation of the scence depolarization measurements to Stouffer Prize (1968), the Paul Karrer mechanism of peptide hormone action, demonstrate random-coil conformation for Gold Medal (1969), the Rudinger

on conformational aspects of peptides ACTH1-24. Other examples included Memorial Award and Medal by the and their interaction with receptors, on highly tritiated ACTH and MSH for European Peptide Society (1984), the the organization of the information in receptor studies, carboranylalanine- Allan E. Pierce Award by the American peptides, and on the interaction of containing peptides for neutron activation Peptide Society (1985) and several peptides with artificial and cell mem- and various photoaffinity labels for others. In 1968 he was elected as branes. He was also a pioneer in the angiotensin and MSH for receptor- member of the National Academy of study of peptide-protein conjugates, cur- targeting. Several of his former collabora- Sciences Leopoldina. rently called peptide-nanobodies, initia- tors pursued academic careers as Robert Schwyzer will be remembered

14 Four selected topics of Robert Schwyzer’s work at the interface between peptide chemistry and biology. 1973: Organization of the information in peptide hormones; 1977: Differential recognition of peptides by receptor subtypes; 1978: tobacco mosaic virus with ~300 peptide molecules covalently attached as one of the earliest peptide- nanobodies; 1982: Membrane lipid phase as catalyst for peptide-receptor interactions.

as a charming person, an excellent organized in honour of his 80th birthday Notes lecturer, a sportive colleague, not only at Bachem AG in Bubendorf/Switzerland 1 According to the definition by Theodor Wieland. See: T. Wieland. From glycylglycine to fascinated by mountaineering but also by in the year 2000, he cited wisdom of ribonuclease: 100 years of peptide chemistry. In: (fast) down-hill skiing. Every winter he Kohelet: “To everything there is a season, Perspectives in Peptide Chemistry (dedicated to took his group to a winter resort for a and a time to every purpose under Robert Schwyzer), A.N. Eberle, R. Geiger, T. week in order to expose all his collabora- heaven: a time to be born and a time to Wieland (eds.), p. 1–13, Karger, Basel, 1981. 2 R. Schwyzer, P. Sieber. Total synthesis of tors to fresh air and snow sports activities die, … a time to speak … a time to keep adenocorticotrophic hormone. Nature 1963; 199: so that the brainstorming sessions on silence ...”. After the symposium, he 172–174. novel research projects held in the meant not to speak anymore (as a 3 Josef Rudinger was officially invited as guest mornings were particularly productive. scientist, giving lectures etc.) but be professor of the ETH Zurich by Robert Schwyzer in 1968, before the Soviets and their allies occupied Robert Schwyzer was a person welcome silent. In September 2015 – after the Prague. Rudinger decided to stay in Switzerland and highly respected wherever he went in death of his dear Rösli – he felt that the whenever possible. In 1970 the ETH in Zurich Europe, the United States or China and time to die had arrived for him as well. promoted Rudinger to full professor of molecular biology. He died from liver cancer in 1975. Japan. He was a modest person who The scientific community will keep an liked to speak only when he had good excellent memory of Robert Schwyzer, a arguments to present. After a symposium great peptide scientist. Contributed by Alex N. Eberle

15 EPS Founder Medal presentation

n the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the member of the Committee, 1990–1994” to Prof. Kálmán establishment of the European Peptide Society, the Medzihradszky in Budapestand Prof. Ernest Giralt in Barcelona OGeneral Assembly decided to present the “Pro Service to have been published in the previous Issue of the Newsletter. the European Peptide Society” medal to the founding Executive We are very pleased to announce that on behalf of the Society, Committee members: E.Giralt, V. Ivanov, G. Jung, A. Loffet, K. Prof. Sollange Lavielle and Prof. Annette G. Beck-Sickinger Medzihradszky. The pictures of the personal delivery and arranged recently the medal presentation to Dr. Albert Loffet and presentation of the medal with the following engraving ”To Prof. Günther Jung.

Prof. Annette G. Beck-Sickinger presenting the EPS medal to Prof. Günther Jung.

Prof. Sollange Lavielle presenting the EPS medal to Dr. Albert Loffet

16 Society Officers

Professor Ferenc Hudecz Professor Anna Maria Papini Professor Krzysztof Rolka (Chairman) (Treasurer) (Communication Officer & Newsletter c. member, Hungarian Academy of Laboratory of Peptide & Protein Editor) Sciences Chemistry & Biology Faculty of Chemistry Research Group of Peptide Chemistry c/o Department of Chemistry, University of Gdansk Department of Organic Chemistry University of Florence PL-80308 Gdansk Eötvös Loránd University Via della Lastruccia 13, POLAND Pázmány Péter sétány 1A I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Firenze) E-mail : [email protected] H-1117 Budapest ITALY Tel: + 48 58 5235088 HUNGARY E-mail: [email protected] Fax: + 48 58 5235012 E-mail : [email protected] Tel: +39 055 457 3561 URL: http://chemia.ug.edu.pl/wydzial/ Tel: +36-1-372-2880 Fax: +39 055 457 3584 katedry/ katedra_biochemii Fax: +36-1-372-2620 URL: http://www.unifi.it/peptlab URL: http://peptid.chem.elte.hu Professor Solange Lavielle Professor Dirk Tourwé (Scientific Affairs Officer) (Secretary) Laboratoire des BioMolécules Vrije Universiteit Brussel UMR 7203, UPMC Paris 06 - ENS - Organic Chemistry Department CNRS Pleinlaan 2 Département de Chimie - Ecole Normale B-1050 Brussels Supérieure - BELGIUM 24, Rue Lhomond E-mail : [email protected] F-75252 Paris Cedex 05 Tel : + 32 2 629 3595 FRANCE Fax : + 32 2 629 3304 E-mail : [email protected] URL: http://wefcol.vub.ac.be/orgc/ Tel : +33 144 32 24 43 index.php?content=staff Fax : +33 144 32 24 02 URL: http://www.chimie.ens.fr/LBM

JOURNAL OF PEPTIDE SCIENCE EPS WEB EDITORS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF www.eurpepsoc.com

Professor Luis Moroder Dr. George Pairas Dr. Jaroslaw Ruczynski Max-Planck-Institut für Biochemie Department of Pharmacy Faculty of Chemistry D-82152 Martinsried, University of Patras University of Gdansk GERMANY GR-265 00 Patras, PL-80308 Gdansk E-mail: [email protected] GREECE POLAND Tel: +49 89 8578 3905 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail : [email protected] Fax: +49 89 8578 2847 [email protected] Tel: + 48 58 5235431 Tel: +30 2610 962327 Fax: + 48 58 5235012 Fax: +30 2615 006061

17 CALENDAR of Forthcoming Events

15th IBERIAN PEPTIDE MEETING 3rd CHEMICAL LIGATION Porto, Portugal MEETING “LILL’ GATION 2016” 10–12 February 2016 Lille, France URL: http://www.fc.up.pt/EPI2016/ 26–27 May 2016 URL: http://chemicalligation.org/ 1st MS PEPTIDE DAY spip.php?article1 Florence, Italy 10–12 February 2016 DUTCH PEPTIDE SYMPOSIUM URL: http://www.spettrometriadimassa.it/ 2016 Congressi/1MS-PeptideDay/ Lelystad, The Netherlands 3 June 2016 SYNTHESIS AND BIOMEDICAL URL: http://www.dutchpeptide APPLICATIONS OF TUMOR- symposium.com/ TARGETING PEPTIDOMIMETICS Bologna, Italy 15th NAPLES WORKSHOP ON 14–16 February 2016 BIOACTIVE PEPTIDES URL: https://events.unibo.it/ Naples, Italy bolognapeptides2016 23–25 June 2016 URL: http://www.peptidesnaples 3rd BELGIAN PEPTIDE GROUP workshop.org/ MEETING Bruxelles, Belgium 34th EUROPEAN PEPTIDE 17–18 February 2016 SYMPOSIUM URL: http://www.bpgm.be/ 8th International Peptide Symposium Leipzig, Germany PEPTIDES, CHEMISTRY & 4–9 September 2016 BIOLOGY OF GORDON URL: http://www.34eps-2016.org RESEARCH CONFERENCE. CROSSING BARRIERS BY PEPTIDE SCIENCE FOR HEALTH AND WELLNESS Ventura, CA, USA 21–26 February 2016 URL: http://www.grc.org/ programs.aspx?id=11886