University of Barcelona, Department Organic Chemistry
Fernando Albericio is a Research Professor at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa) and Emeritus Professor of Organic Chemistry at the University of Barcelona (Spain) with 50 years of experience in peptide chemistry. He is also an A-rated researcher by the National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa.
His major research interests cover practically all aspects of peptide synthetic methodology as well as the synthesis of peptides and small molecules with therapeutic activities (cancer and infectious diseases). Lastly, he was working on greening the solid-phase peptide synthesis processes. He has published more than 1100 scientific articles, filed more than 60 patents, and graduated more than 80 Ph.D. students.
He was recently awarded the 2025 Chemistry Today Lifetime Achievement Award (Teknoscience, Italy), the 2024 Rudinger Award (European Peptide Society), the 2024 Meienhofer Award (Boulder Peptide Foundation), the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award (European Peptide Synthesis Conference), the 2022 Gold Medal [South Africa Chemistry Institute (SACI)],.and the 2019 Goodman Award (American Peptide Society).
Peptide Synthesis Methodologies
His research covers all aspects of peptide synthesis, including the design and optimization of resins and coupling reagents, and protecting groups. During recent years, his research has channeled great efforts into developing greener strategies for SPPS.
Synthesis of Peptides and Small Molecules with Therapeutic Activities
The development of unique strategies has allowed his research group to carry out the first total synthesis of several intriguing natural peptides, most of them depsipeptides, but also thiodepsipeptides, thiopeptides, disulfide-containing peptides, and those bearing unstable moieties, such as BODIPY. His group also investigates peptide-based drug delivery platforms.
Research Professor
Chemistry
albericio@ukzn.ac.za
031 260 7367
