Stroke Research

Our goal is to test the effects of immunomodulating drugs in experimental stroke models and to understand the contribution of various lymphocyte populations in stroke recovery, both in animal models and in a clinical population.

Novel Antimicrobials and Resistance

Investigating the basis of novel microbial drug targets, for example, quorum sensing, virulence factor expression and transcriptional regulators. Synthesis and evaluation of novel antimicrobial compounds, including those which disrupt bacterial communication and inhibit the formation of bacterial biofilms. Screening for anti-parasitic compounds.

S1P Modulators in Retinal Neovascularization

The goal of this project is to test the effects of the S1P1 receptor modulator Siponimod in In vitro and In vivo models of retinal neovascularization and to develop controlled release intravitreal drug delivery systems for the management of diabetic retinopathy or macular degeneration.

Novel Anticancer Agents Inspired by Nature

This new project area will focus on developing the first total synthesis of a natural product possessing likely topoisomerase I/I inhibitory anticancer activity, and to exploit the total synthesis route to prepare a strategic set of natural product analogues for biological evaluation of TI/TII inhibitory activity and NCI-60 cancer screening.

Cannabinomimetic Agents Devoid of Psychoactive Activity

The goal of this ongoing project is to investigate the development of potential therapeutic compounds with cannabinomimetic activity but devoid of unwanted psychoactive effects.

Design, Synthesis and Evaluation of Novel Antivirals

We have designed a novel series of compounds alpha-CNPs which are potent inhibitors of HIV RT and a number of other viral polymerases. Significantly these compounds display an entirely novel mode of action. They are the first nucleoside phosphonates to display direct inhibition of HIV RT without requiring prior phosphorylation. Evaluation of these compounds is undertaken in collaboration with researchers in Belgium, Germany, US and Canada. Parallel work is also on-going into novel phosphorus-sulfur based inhibitors of RT.

Flow Chemistry in API Synthesis

Use of continuous flow technology has impacted significantly on approaches to synthesis of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients at scale over recent years. In our team, we are focused on utilising this technology to enable the safe use of hazardous reagents at process scale. One of the key challenges in this area is to synthesise the compounds in flow with sufficient purity to telescope with enantioselective catalysis.

Neuropharmacology

The goal of this work is to use translationally relevant preclinical models to discover and develop the next generation of therapies for stress-related disorders.

Pharmaceutical Analysis

The application of advanced spectroscopic techniques to investigate chemical transformations and pharmaceutical processes – where improvements can lead to yield enhancements, shorter reaction times and reduced costs for the manufacturer.