Mikael Bols


Mikael Bols is a synthetic organic chemist who is mainly known for his work on carbohydrates and artificial enzymes.

Early life

Mikael Bols was born and grew up in Copenhagen, Denmark. He attended high school from 1977-1980, and took a degree as chemical engineer at the Technical University of Denmark from 1980-1985.

Professional career

From 1985 to 1988 Bols did PhD with Professor Inge Lundt at the Technical University of Denmark. From 1988-1989 he did a post doc with professor Walter Szarek at Queen's University before joining Leo Pharmaceuticals in 1989. From 1991-1995 he was Ass. Prof. at DTU only interrupted by a visit in the last 6 month of 1994 Gilbert Stork's group at Columbia University From 1995-2000 he was Assoc. Prof. at University of Aarhus during which period he became Dr. Scient.. From 1998-2000 and from 2004-2006 he was Head of the chemistry department at university of Aarhus. From 2000-2005 he became Lundbeckfondsprofessor and subsequently ordiniary professor. In 2007 he ´became professor and Head of department of the Department of Chemistry at University of Copenhagen.

Achievements

The discovery of isofagomine and related glycosidase inhibitors, the discovery of stereoelectronic substituent effects and superarmed glycosyl donors, the creation of artificial enzymes that cause large rate increases., and writing the book "Carbohydrate Building Blocks" about using carbohydrates as a chirality source in synthesis.