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Prof Anna Peacock
Applications accepted all year round
Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
About the Project
This project within Dr Anna Peacock's group involves the design, synthesis and evaluation of various lanthanide coiled coil complexes. In particular we are focused on the development of new gadolinium complexes as potentially novel MRI contrast agents. By correlating peptide design, computational modelling and structural characterisation with MR data, we aim to develop useful lanthanide coiled coil complexes
To find out more about studying for a PhD at the University of Birmingham, including full details of the research undertaken in each school, the funding opportunities for each subject, and guidance on making your application, you can now order your copy of the new Doctoral Research Prospectus, at: www.birmingham.ac.uk/students/drp.aspx
To find out more about studying for a PhD at the University of Birmingham, including full details of the research undertaken in each school, the funding opportunities for each subject, and guidance on making your application, you can now order your copy of the new Doctoral Research Prospectus, at: www.birmingham.ac.uk/students/drp.aspx
Funding Notes
Funding from the School of Chemistry is available to its best applicants, and will cover University tuition fees at the UK/EU level and provide the standard tax-free stipend (approximately £13,500 p.a. and subject to annual increase).
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Career overview
Professor Anna Peacock grew up in The Netherlands and graduated from the University of York (UK) with a MChem in 2003. During her time at York, she was first introduced to Bioinorganic Chemistry research while working on her dissertation project with Professor Robin Perutz and Dr Anne-Kathrin Duhme-Klair. She then completed a PhD in Bioinorganic Chemistry under the supervision of Professor Peter Sadler FRS at the University of Edinburgh (Scotland) in 2007. Following her doctoral studies, she took up a post-doctoral position at the University of Michigan (USA) with Professor Vincent Pecoraro. In 2009, she joined the School of Chemistry at the University of Birmingham and was promoted to Professor in Bioinorganic Chemistry in 2025. Professor Peacock leads the Peacock Research Group, which focuses on developing novel metallopeptides that extend beyond the capabilities of biological systems.
Research interests
Professor Peacock''s research focuses on the *de novo* design of functional metallopeptides, particularly the use of designed artificial miniature protein folds as novel ligands for metal ions. The group aims to exploit the advantages of biomolecules while maintaining the simplicity found in small molecule inorganic chemistry complexes. Their work includes the coordination of lanthanides to coiled coils, effectively tuning the lanthanide coordination chemistry and physical properties through peptide design. This research has potential applications in developing biology-chemistry hybrids with new functions, including the exploration of these metallopeptides as MRI contrast agents.
