Prof Petzer specialises in the rational design and development of novel small-molecule therapeutics targeting critical enzymes that are involved in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases. Prof Petzer has successfully diversified her research by establishing an innovative program dedicated to small-molecule therapeutics of snakebite envenoming. By designing molecules to inhibit venomous enzymes and proteins, this approach offers a critical, accessible alternative or adjunct to traditional antivenom therapies in resource-limited settings. Furthermore, her collaborative industry research extends to studying enzymes like tyrosinase for hyperpigmentation and melanoma. These research activities combine computational design with practical synthesis and biological evaluation, key elements of translational medicinal chemistry and enzyme-targeted drug discovery.
Building G16
Room 225
Potchefstroom Campus
- Petzer, A.; Petzer, J. P.; Cloete, S. J. Interaction of cholinesterase inhibitors with snake venom acetylcholinesterase from snake species of Southern Africa. Toxicon, 2025, 108475.
- Le Roux, A.; Cloete, S. J.; Petzer, J. P.; Petzer, A. In vitro inhibition of snake venom toxins by varespladib, marimastat, nafamostat and dimercaprol. Toxicon, 2025, 268, 108626.
- Jacobs, M. E.; Petzer, J. P.; Pretorius, J.; Cloete, S. J.; Crous, C.; Petzer, A. Synthesis and evaluation of 3-hydroxyquinolin-2 (1H)-one derivatives as inhibitors of tyrosinase. Bioorg Med Chem Lett, 2024, 129823.
- Crous, C.; Petzer, A.; Petzer, J. P., Interactions of small molecule inhibitors with secreted phospholipase A2: A review of the structural data. Chem Biol Drug Des, 2024, 103 (2), e14466.
- Crous, C.; Swart, I. A.; Pretorius, J.; van der Kooy, F.; Petzer, J. P.; Petzer, A. Hematoxylin, an Alternative Substrate of Tyrosinase. Planta Med, 2024, 90(13), 1015-1022
