Ülo Langel

Ülo Langel (born 2 March 1951) is an Estonian biochemist known for research on cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), including work associated with transportan and related intracellular-delivery systems. He is professor emeritus at Stockholm University and the University of Tartu.

Early life and education Langel was born in Tartu. He graduated from the University of Tartu in 1974 with a degree in chemistry and subsequently completed postgraduate work in bioorganic chemistry. In 1980 he earned a candidate of sciences degree with a dissertation on structure–activity relationships in butyrylcholinesterase, and in 1993 he completed a doctorate in biochemistry and neurochemistry, associated with Stockholm University and the University of Tartu, on galanin and galanin antagonists.

Research Langel's earlier research was in neurochemistry, particularly neuropeptides such as galanin and their ligands. He later became closely associated with research on CPPs and their use in delivering biologically active molecules across cell membranes. An ERR science feature in 2019 described him as one of the early researchers in shuttle peptides and linked that work to the development of new drug-delivery approaches. In 2023 the journal Pharmaceutics announced a special issue honouring Langel's contribution to the field of CPP research.

Honours and memberships In 2001 Langel was awarded the Order of the White Star, IV class. In 2009 he received the Estonian National Science Prize in chemistry and molecular biology, together with Margus Pooga and collaborators, for a research cycle on intracellular targets. and became a foreign member of the Estonian Academy of Sciences in 2015.

Selected works