Dr. Christina Lamers, a pharmacist with a passion for developing new therapeutics through medicinal chemistry, found her interest in the immune system while studying metabolic syndrome. Under the guidance of Dr. Daniel Ricklin in Basel, she delved into the complement field, aiming to use cyclic peptides to develop novel therapeutics.
Alongside her research, Dr. Lamers is dedicated to teaching and mentoring, aiming to cultivate a new generation of complement researchers. “Working with students and researchers allows me to challenge my own ideas and assumptions. They often bring fresh perspectives and ask thought-provoking questions. It is incredibly rewarding to develop novel project ideas that were sparked by their questions,” says Dr. Lamers.
In this interview, Dr. Lamers discusses the advantages of cyclic peptides as therapeutic compounds and how structural insights will allow the development of novel complement inhibitors and research tools.