Mohammed Benazza

Mohammed Benazza serves as Maître de Conférences (HDR) at Université de Picardie Jules Verne within the Laboratoire de Glycochimie et des Agroressources d'Amiens (LG2A UR 7378). His research bridges carbohydrate chemistry and therapeutic development through innovative synthetic methodologies.

His research interests focus on multivalent glycocluster design for targeting biological receptors, with three primary thrusts:

• Antiviral development: Creating calixarene/thiacalixarene-based glycoconjugates that block DC-SIGN mediated viral entry (Ebola, HIV, HCMV) with nanomolar potency
• Diabetes therapeutics: Engineering cyclodextrin-scaffolded α-glucosidase inhibitors showing 30-70x greater potency than acarbose without α-amylase inhibition
• Antibacterial strategies: Developing hydroxamic acid-functionalized glycoclusters that disrupt Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms through dual iron chelation and lectin inhibition

Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals consistent output in high-impact journals (J. Med. Chem., Eur. J. Org. Chem.) with emphasis on green chemistry approaches (microwave synthesis, minimal protection strategies) and multidisciplinary validation (SPR, in vivo models, enzymatic assays). His work demonstrates exceptional translational potential across virology, oncology, and metabolic disease.

Professor Benazza maintains active collaborations with international research groups across Europe, evidenced by co-authorship with institutions in Spain (University of Barcelona), UK (University of Nottingham), and Tunisia. His laboratory employs advanced techniques including surface plasmon resonance for binding studies, in vivo tumor models, and sophisticated carbohydrate synthesis methodologies.

The LG2A laboratory provides comprehensive training in modern organic synthesis with direct applications to drug discovery, offering students opportunities to contribute to projects with clear therapeutic relevance.