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| Design and synthesis of novel anti-cancer agents | |||||||||||||
Cancer continues to be one of the most difficult diseases to treat with even routine chemotherapy regimens causing undesirable side effects to the patient. In this project we wish to develop new targeted treatments for cancer, as well as develop chemical biology tools related to cancer. In this way it is anticipated that the programme will afford more selective treatments for cancer, as well as develop our understanding of the biological mechanisms that result in cancer. Within this project the student will use synthetic chemistry to prepare a range of targets and these will be analysed using both chemical and enzymatic techniques to ascertain how the structural features of the chosen molecules affect their selectivity and mode of action. The student will also have an opportunity to develop cell culture techniques to allow them to assess the cytotoxicity of their products in a range of different cell lines. Such information will allow the student to devise a second generation of anti-cancer agents, that optimize the beneficial features of the first generation prepared. The research project will span from chemical synthesis of new molecules, and their characterization, to in vitro studies to determine cytotoxic activity. Within our School we offer state-of-the-art facilities from recently refurbished laboratories to new analytical instruments including 700 and 500 MHz NMR’s; single crystal, powder and small angle X-ray diffractometry; infrared and Raman imaging spectroscopy; thermal analysis ranging from DSC to TGA and solution calorimetry and analytical microscopy. Coupled with this interdisciplinary technical training, we offer support to develop generic skills through weekly meetings of our research group and by presentations at national and international meetings. HMI Osborn et al., Synthesis and Evaluation of Novel Boron-Containing Complexes of Potential Use for the Selective Treatment of Malignant Melanoma, J. Med. Chem., 2008, 51, 6604-6608 K Strohfeldt et al., Proliferative and anti-proliferative effects of titanium-and iron-based metallocene anti-cancer drugs, J. Organomet. Chem., 2009, 694, 874-879. AJA Cobb, Recent highlights in modified oligonucleotide chemistry, Org. Biom. Chem., 2007, 5, 3260-3275. JA Brazier et al., Stabilization of the DNA I-motif structure by incorporation of 3 '-S-phosphorothiolate linkages, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2006, 45, 114-117 |
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