Chemical Biology & Organic Synthesis
We develop chemistry to understand biology
Synthesis and methodology
Our expertise is built on a sound foundation of synthetic organic chemistry. We achieve the most challenging syntheses, for example the complex natural product, Nakadomarin A. We develop groundbreaking synthetic methods. In some, we combine many synthetic steps into a single concise procedure. In others, absolute stereocontrol and catalysis are used, e.g. to make carbohydrate-like polymers.
Structural design
We carefully design synthetic targets for biological functions. Stapled peptides mimic protein-protein interactions. Computational methods explore the ways in which amino acids interact, so that function can be designed into synthetic peptides. Molecular probes based on precise mechanisms allow us to identify short-lived reactive species in living organisms.
Biomedical science
With our collaborators, we address the most difficult problems in biomedicine:
- cardiovascular disease
- dementia
- heart attack
- stroke
- cancer
- inflammation
- transplant
Our compounds include diagnostics such as novel PET and SPECT tracers for imaging neurological diseases. We also uncover the mechanisms of disease and develop therapeutics.
Naturally we have a wide network of collaborators including biochemists, molecular biologists, medics, and evolutionary biologists.
Our interests
| Professor Stephen Clark | Total synthesis of complex natural products |
| Dr David France | Drug conjugates, anti-parasitics, anti-bacterials |
| Professor Richard Hartley | Molecular probes, prodrugs, ROS sensors, targeting, cardiovascular, inflammation, malaria |
| Mr Andrew Jamieson | Peptides, peptidomimetics, ion channels, pain regulation, HDAC inhibitors, cancer |
| Dr Joelle Prunet | Stereocontrol, functionalised polymers, metathesis, total synthesis of natural products |
| Dr Andrew Sutherland | PET and SPECT tracers, diagnostics, neurological diseases, cancer, fluorophores, one-pot multi-reaction catalytic processes |
| Dr Drew Thomson | Designer peptides, computer modeling |
Contact
Find out individual contact information in the Our staff accordion on this page.
Quick links
- Research
- Research Impact
- Postgraduate research opportunities
- Chemistry Higher Education Research, Practice and Scholarship
PhD opportunities
The Chemical Biology and Precision Synthesis research group is always interested in hearing from potential PhD students, and invite a number to join us each year.
We work in the following research areas:
- Synthesis and Methodology
- Structural Design
- Biomedical Science
- Chemical Biology
- Precision Synthesis
Take a look at our staff list (above) for further information on our work.
Apply for a PhD with us
Identify the area of research that interests you and contact the potential supervisor by email, then apply for admission to the School of Chemistry (the College of Science & Engineering Graduate School handles the application process).
Please visit How to apply for a postgraduate research degree for further information.