Dr Muttenthaler, who currently heads the Neuropeptide Research Laboratory at the University of Queensland, Australia, and the University of Vienna, is an outstanding medicinal chemist with a focus on translational research.
He specialises in neuropeptides, particularly venom peptides, and their applications in the development of molecular tools, diagnostics and therapeutics. Dr Muttenthaler's interdisciplinary background in chemistry and pharmacology allows him to study the interactions of these compounds with human physiology, leading to advances in medical research in neuropathic pain, breast cancer, autism, gastrointestinal disorders and neurodegenerative diseases, among others.
The IRB Barcelona Alumni Award jury, consisting of IRB Barcelona researchers and alumni, selected Dr Muttenthaler for his outstanding achievements in neuropeptide research, synthetic chemistry and the development of peptide drugs.
The award ceremony took place on 24 November at IRB Barcelona. During the event, Dr Muttenthaler gave a plenary seminar on "Peptide therapeutics for gastrointestinal diseases", in which he reflected on his journey since his time as a researcher at IRB Barcelona.
