Institute for Molecular and Supramolecular Chemistry and Biochemistry (ICBMS)

Research topics

The ICBMS has around 180 members of staff: 80 permanent members and around one hundred temporary staff, including 60 PhD students and post-doc students. They are working on broad fields of research that are linked to both chemistry and biochemistry.

• Synthesis, methodology and catalysis
• Biomolecules: synthesis, properties and assemblies
• Biological and biomimetic membranes, biocatalysis.

Innovation in synthesis methodology to open up the way to new molecular architectures, the identification of new drugs and new bioactive molecules, and the understanding of the mode of action are some of the major areas being worked on by the ICBMS teams. The work carried out in the unit concerns in particular:

• synthesis methodology and strategies for producing complex structures
• organometallic chemistry and catalytic processes
• sustainable chemistry: new reaction environments, inexpensive strategies, renewable resources
• the design of biologically active molecules with medical applications and the chemistry of biomolecules
• biomimetic systems and diagnostic tools (biosensors, biochips, microfluid systems)
• the structural and functional study of biological membranes
• biomineralisation processes
• biocatalysis in a non-conventional environment

Several large scientific fields are being studied: the dynamics of living things, the chemistry of living things, the chemistry of synthesis, biotechnologies and nanosciences

During the period 2009-2014, the work carried out by ICBMS led to 75 doctorates, the publication of over 600 articles, the registrations of 40 patents and over 300 invitations to hold conferences and seminars.
The scientific activity of the ICBMS is based on a strong partnership with industry (over 35 company partnerships for the most recent or current actions) and on a large number of international collaborative efforts via researcher exchange schemes and hosting researchers for abroad, pilot schemes and participation in European projects, partnerships on specific scientific programmes (USA, Canada, Australia, China, Japan, Israel, Chile, Poland, Madagascar, Vietnam etc.).