Martina Cacciarini

Martina Cacciarini serves as a Guest Researcher in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Copenhagen, where she conducts interdisciplinary research at the intersection of organic synthesis, photochemistry, and biomedical applications. Her work focuses on developing molecular switches with potential therapeutic applications, particularly for lysosomal storage disorders.

Her research interests span multiple domains of chemical sciences, with primary focus on Organic Chemistry, Photochemistry, and Medicinal Chemistry. She specializes in designing and synthesizing dihydroazulene-based molecular switches that can be controlled by light or pH changes, with particular emphasis on their application as photoswitchable pharmacological chaperones for enzyme modulation. Her work bridges synthetic chemistry with biological evaluation, demonstrating expertise in both molecular design and functional characterization.

Analysis of her publication record reveals a consistent research trajectory centered on photopharmacology and molecular engineering. Her articles demonstrate expertise in developing light-responsive compounds targeting glucocerebrosidase, with applications for Gaucher disease treatment. The research combines synthetic organic chemistry, computational modeling (DFT studies), and biological testing, showing a multidisciplinary approach to solving biomedical challenges. Recent publications indicate increasing sophistication in molecular design, moving from single-switch systems to multistate architectures with orthogonal control mechanisms.

Dr. Cacciarini maintains an active collaborative network, primarily working with Professor Mogens B. Nielsen and other researchers at the University of Copenhagen. Her research group appears focused on advancing the field of photopharmacology through innovative molecular design and rigorous characterization of photoresponsive systems.