Adventures in Molecular recognition: from one happy accident to another

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• Professor Jeremy Sanders
• Tuesday 10 February 2026, 18:00-19:00
• Pfizer Lecture Theatre, Department of Chemistry, Lensfield Road.

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We were inspired by the power of enzymes to carry out molecular recognition and catalysis under mild conditions, and wanted to mimic their abilities using synthetic molecules. We soon realised that the classic design and build approach of synthetic chemistry didn’t work for us so we invented an approach that is reminiscent of the immune system in which the most successful but unpredictable structures are amplified. While we never achieved great catalysis we did discover astonishing new structures and behaviours and unexpected potential applications.

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