Interview with Prof. Dr. Stanislav Gobec, Head of the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the University of Ljubljana
Stanislav Gobec studied pharmacy at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, where he obtained a Ph.D. in 1999. He has been a full professor of pharmaceutical chemistry at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, since 2010. His research interests are structure-based in-silico design, synthesis and evaluation of small-molecule enzyme inhibitors for different therapeutic areas, including infectious diseases, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. He has authored over 250 papers and book chapters, six granted international patents and has been involved in academic and industrial EU-funded drug discovery and development programs.
You have an impressive research portfolio in Medicinal Chemistry. Could you highlight some fundamental projects that have shaped your research direction in enzyme inhibitors and therapeutic areas?
Perhaps the most important project is the development of an advanced lead compound for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Ten years ago, we started from scratch and discovered a highly effective compound that inhibits butyrylcholinesterase, a target enzyme that plays a role in Alzheimer’s disease. The compound was tested in all kinds of enzymatic assays, cellular assays and animal models and proved to be very effective in the experimental treatment of dogs with cognitive dysfunction. We are continuing to develop this compound and have just found, for example, that it is very effective in mouse models of depression.
How has the field of Medicinal Chemistry evolved since you started your career, and what challenges do researchers face today that were not prevalent earlier?
As in many other areas of the life sciences, we have seen tremendous development in pharmaceutical and medicinal chemistry. The biggest difference is that many materials that enable interdisciplinary research have become readily available, e.g. complex chemical reagents, kits for enzymatic or receptor screening, kits for cellular assays, etc. This and the availability of suitable equipment have made most research methods much faster. Another important advance is, of course, access to scientific literature and data. When I started my PhD, I had to spend at least a week in a library to find out whether a particular compound had already been synthesised or not. Today, it takes me three clicks.
However, the easy access to all scientific information in combination with the scientific hyper-production we are currently experiencing is a big challenge: How do we select the most important/relevant and reproducible information?
As a member of the EUTOPIA Faculty and Staff Council, what do you see as the most significant benefits of collaborative academic networks like EUTOPIA in advancing research and innovation across Europe?
In my opinion, the most meaningful advantage is the creation of a critical mass of researchers who can do good science together in certain areas. I think that EUTOPIA has not yet fully exploited its potential to create the right environment.
You’ve led the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the University of Ljubljana since 2011. How has your leadership approach evolved over the years in response to new challenges in academia and research? What has been your strategy in fostering young researchers and guiding them in highly specialised fields like enzyme inhibitor research?
My strategy in guiding young researchers in specialised fields like enzyme inhibitor research and drug discovery is rooted in providing a high degree of freedom and fostering independent thinking. I believe that allowing early-career scientists the autonomy to explore their ideas encourages creativity and critical problem-solving, which are essential in complex research areas. While I offer guidance and ensure they have access to the necessary resources and mentorship, I avoid micromanagement, instead creating a collaborative environment where open discussion and intellectual curiosity drive progress.
In your opinion, how will AI and Machine Learning change the landscape of drug discovery? What are the most promising areas of innovation in drug discovery that you think will dominate research over the next decade?
Artificial intelligence (AI) in drug discovery accelerates the identification of potential drug candidates by analysing large datasets, predicting molecular interactions, and optimising compound structures. Machine learning algorithms are used to model biological systems, screen millions of compounds virtually, and predict drug efficacy and toxicity, in principle reducing the need for extensive laboratory testing. AI also enables personalised medicine by identifying biomarkers and predicting patient responses to treatments, making drug development more efficient and cost-effective.
AI in drug discovery will undoubtedly dominate the next decade, and it is difficult to predict where its limits lie. Another promising area is PROTACS (proteolysis targeting chimaeras). PROTACs are small molecules that use the body’s natural protein degradation system to target and break down specific proteins. They are being researched for the treatment of diseases such as cancer, where they can degrade proteins that are difficult to inhibit with traditional drugs. Clinical trials currently underway will soon show if they can be used as drugs.
With your experience in leading academic and industrial drug discovery programs, what advice would you give to early-career researchers trying to secure funding for large-scale projects?
I would advise trying to solve the most important scientific problems and never giving up when applying for funding. There will always be another call for proposals.
EUTOPIA’s goal is to create an inclusive and interconnected European academic community. How do you think pharmaceutical research can benefit from this vision?
Pharmaceutical research is, by definition, highly interdisciplinary and even transdisciplinary, so there is enormous potential to benefit from EUTOPIA. I believe EUTOPIA should focus more on stimulating the formation of large collaborative research groups from different universities and providing (or helping to find) funding for interdisciplinary research projects. I know some very good research groups from EUTOPIA universities, but they are not interested in working together within the EUTOPIA instruments because the funding is too low.