Mikko
Ora
University Lecturer, Pharmaseutical Chemistry
Docent, Department of Chemistry
Senior Lecturer

Contact

+358 29 450 3196
+358 50 328 5911

Areas of expertise

Organic Chemistry
Kinetics
Nucleotides
Prodrugs

Biography

M.Sc. 1994; Ph.D. 1999 (Bioorganic chemistry); Adjunct Professor 2006 (Physical organic chemistry)

Senior Lecturer since 2006

Teaching

KEMI6110 Organic Chemistry

KEMI6124 B.Sc.Laboratory Project, Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology

Research

Structurally modified nucleotides have received attention as a means to combat against viral infections, cancer and hereditary diseases. The research is focused on pro-drug models of nucleotides. The goal is to develop the degradable lipophilic carriers which are used to improve the cellular membrane penetration of the negatively charged nucleotides. To obtain mechanistic information on the chemical hydrolysis and enzymatic cleavage of the protecting groups, the kinetic studies of the pro-drugs are of interest.


The small RAS oncoproteins play a crucial role in human cancers and are, hence, a target in anticancer drug discovery. In spite of numerous efforts, a direct small-molecule signalling inhibitor drug of mutant RAS has not been able to develop. The aim of the study is to provide a potent method to suppress oncogenic RAS signalling with phosphotriester derivatives.

Publications

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