Andrea Vasella

Andrea Vasella has been full Professor at the Organic Chemistry Laboratory of the ETH Zurich since March 1, 1993.

Andrea Vasella (born in 1943 in Freiburg i.Ue.) studied chemistry and biology at the University of Freiburg i. Ue. from where he received a Lic. rer. nat. in 1966 before joyning Hoffmann La Roche, Basel as a trainee in the group of J. Kiss. In 1971, he earned a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the ETH under the supervision of D. Arigoni. After postdoctoral stays with J. E. Baldwin (Kings College, London and MIT) and R. B. Woodward (Harvard University) he returned to the ETH. In 1977, he moved as Assistant Professor to the University of Freiburg i.Ue. and hence, in 1981, as Associate Professor to the University of Zürich. He was promoted to full Professor and chaired the Institute of Organic Chemistry in 1987-1989.

The major part of Professor Vasella's research is dedicated to carbohydrates. Main topics are the elucidation of the mechanism of action of glycosidases and related enzymes, using the design and kinetic characterisation of transition state analogues, mostly mono- and oligosaccharides possessing new structural motifs. Their synthesis requires new methods for the preparation of carbocycles, heterocycles, and precursors to reactive intermediates; it involves studies of conformational and mechanistic aspects. Other activities concern the characterisation of hydrogen bonds, particularly in celluloses and novel cellulose analogues, the preparation of cyclodextrins, and the synthesis of new types of DNA and RNA analogues.

Professor Vasella has received the Kern Medal, the Werner Medal and the Roy L. Whistler Award.