Natural products as potential antitumour and antimicrobial agents – synthesis and biological studies (SEARCEYU17SF)

Compounds that come from nature have formed the backbone of cancer treatment for many years. Probably most well known is paclitaxel, with the trade name Taxol, which is used in the treatment of breast and ovarian cancers. Others, such as vincristine and vinblastine from the Periwinkle plant, have an even longer history of clinical use. Doxorubicin is a well-known, clinically anticancer natural product that exerts its effects through inhibition of an enzyme called topoisomerase II and although well used in the clinic, it has several side effects that limit its utility. We are interested in the biological activity of a family of natural products called simocyclinones (ref i-iii), some of which inhibit topoisomerases and have potential both as antitumour and antimicrobial agents. In this PhD project, we will synthesise analogues of the simocyclinones and study their biological activity, with a view towards generating molecules with better pharmacological properties (see, for example, ref iv). The PhD project will involve synthetic organic chemistry, biosynthesis studies and also some biological assessment and would suit applicants who want to work at the chemistry/biology interface.

The project may be available at an earlier start date of 1 April or 1 July 2017 but should be discussed with the primary supervisor in the first instance.