Stereoselective nucleoside fluorination methodology for the development of next-generation oligonucleotide therapeutics

Background

Oligonucleotide (ON) therapeutics is an exciting clinically-approved platform for the treatment of a range of diseases not readily accessible by small molecule drugs. In contrast to small molecules which mainly target proteins, therapeutic ONs bind to a target RNA sequence which results in the alteration of its function. Unmodified ONs which contain naturally-occurring nucleotides are unsuitable for therapeutic applications and modifications to the ON scaffold are essential to improve their pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic properties such as cell uptake, metabolic stability, affinity and selectivity for a target RNA sequence. Thus, an enduring challenge in the development of ON therapeutics is access to new modifications which enhance their drug-like properties without impacting efficacy.

Project objective

The overall objective of this PhD studentship is to develop a new generation of ribose-modifications nucleosides and their incorporation into therapeutic ONs. Underpinning this medicinal chemistry project will be the development of new methodology to install fluorinated groups at defined positions within the ribose sugar. This project will involve extensive solution-phase and solid-phase synthesis, the development of novel synthetic methodology for stereoselective fluorination, and finally establishing how these modifications influence engagement with a target RNA sequence, and their efficacy as a new modification for development in therapeutic ONs.

Academic Environment

The student undertaking this project will receive unparalleled training in medicinal chemistry and nucleic acid chemical biology. The Burley group has extensive experience in small molecule and nucleoside synthesis, solid phase peptide/nucleic acid synthesis, deep sequencing and bioconjugation.

This is an EPSRC Industrial CASE studentship in collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). The successful applicant will be expected to spend at least 3 months working alongside chemical biology groups at GSK’s Stevenage site.