Research in the Chemistry for Biodiscovery and Medicine (CBM) Section focusses on the use of chemical methods to understand and manipulate chemical and biological systems for economic and societal benefit. By deepening our understanding of life’s molecular mechanisms we uncover new opportunities and develop approaches for diagnosing, monitoring, treating and preventing diseases that include: cancer, cardiovascular disease, infections and neurodegeneration.
Our work is inherently interdisciplinary and we work closely in collaboration with biologists, clinicians and industrial partners. We collaborate widely within the University of Birmingham, as well as nationally, and internationally. Our research is supported by the Birmingham Centre for Chemical and Materials Analysis, which offers high quality spectroscopic analysis, including NMR, Mass Spectrometry, X-ray Diffraction, chromatography, and a host of other analytical methods.
Areas of expertise
Organic, Inorganic, Nanomaterials and Polymer Synthesis – Co-ordination Chemistry – Peptides and Peptidomimetics – Bioanalytical Chemistry – Bioactive Ligand Discovery – Early Stage Drug Discovery – Chemical Biology – Physical Organic Chemistry – Carbohydrates – Foldamers – Lipids – Nucleic Acids – Bioconjugation and Biorthogonal Chemistry – Surface Modification – Sensors and Diagnostics – Protein Expression and Purification – Protein Chemistry – Biophysical Methods – Drug Delivery.
Chemistry for Biodiscovery and Medicine Lead
Areas of interest: Protein-protein Interactions – Intrinsically Disordered Proteins – Chemical Protein Labelling – Self-assembly Mechanisms – Hydrogen-bonding – Drug-discovery
Representative publication: Peptidomimetic inhibitors of β-strand-mediated protein-protein interactions: tuning binding affinity of intrinsically disordered sequences through backbone modification.
E. E. Cawood, E. Baker, T. A. Edwards, D. N. Woolfson, T. K. Karamanos, A. J. Wilson, Chem. Sci. 2024, 15, 10237-10245.
Research in the Wilson group focuses on supramolecular chemical biology and materials chemistry. Molecular function – from drug-protein binding to the mechanical properties of elastic materials – derives from the interactions of molecules with their environment. Fundamental research focused on understanding and manipulating such interactions is essential to developing innovative solutions to challenges in healthcare, energy, and other sectors.
We are a multidisciplinary group with synthetic chemistry at its core; employing organic, inorganic and polymer syntheses, we collaborate with structural molecular biologists, cell biologists, polymer physicists, and other disciplines in our research. We currently pursue a range of projects including: the development of enabling methods to support early-stage drug discovery and medicinal chemistry, self-assembled materials and mechanisms, and tools to study biological mechanisms.
Chemistry for Biodiscovery and Medicine Section Research Group Leaders
Areas of interest: Polymer Chemistry - Cell Engineering - Crystallisation-driven Self-assembly - Nanoparticles - Hydrogels - Tissue Engineering
Representative publication: Self-Healing Hydrogel Scaffolds through PET-RAFT Polymerization in Cellular Environment.
A. M. Rigby, A. R. Alipio, V. Chiaradia, M. C. Arno, Biomacromolecules 2023, 24, 3370-3379.
Research in the Arno group focuses on the synthesis and characterisation of functional polymers that can be used as therapeutics in the areas of drug delivery and tissue engineering. We use a wide range of polymer synthesis methods to access water-soluble polymers which can undergo further post-polymerisation functionalisation. We develop and use click chemistry approaches to allow for bio-orthogonal and selective functionalisation in a biologically relevant environment. Moreover, we have an interest in embedding functionality (such as targeting ligands, drugs, biomimetic agents) within the polymeric scaffold to maximise their function and target them to the site of action in vivo. To promote the synthesis of new materials directly in a biological environment, we carry out reactions under physiological conditions, i.e. at 37 °C, in the presence of oxygen, and in buffer, using cytocompatible polymerisation techniques such as Photoinduced Electron/energy Transfer-Reversible Addition Fragmentation Chain-Transfer (PET-RAFT), Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerisation (ROMP), and Atom-Transfer Radical Polymerisation (ATRP).
Areas of interest: Chemical Biology and Bioconjugation Strategies – Diversity-oriented Synthesis – Medicinal Chemistry – Molecular Synthesis and Catalysis
Representative publication: Photoactivable Glycolipid Antigens Generate Stable Conjugates with CD1d for Invariant Natural Killer T Cell Activation.
N. Veerapen, S. S. Kharkwal, P. Jervis, V. Bhowruth, A. K. Besra, S. J. North, S. M. Haslam, A. Dell, J. Hobrath, P. J. Quaid, P. J. Moynihan, L. R. Cox, H. Kharkwal, M. Zauderer, G. S. Besra, S. A. Porcelli, Bioconjugate Chem., 2018, 29, 3161-3173.
Serial Stimulation of Invariant Natural Killer T Cells with Covalently Stabilized Bispecific T Cell Engagers Generates Anti-Tumor Immunity While Avoiding Anergy. S. S. Kharkwal et al. Cancer Res, 2021, 81, 1788.
A wide range of glycolipids bind to the protein CD1d. Through judicious choice of glycolipid, the resulting complex is capable of activating iNKT cells to elicit an immune response. Whilst careful optimisation of the glycolipid structure has delivered some potent iNKT-cell activators, dissociation of the glycolipid ligand from the CD1d molecule remains a problem for their potential therapeutic application in immunotherapies. In this paper, we describe the first functional CD1d–glycolipid conjugate in which ligand dissociation is now no longer an issue. This bioconjugation technology provides novel tool compounds for studying the mechanism of iNKT-cell biology and opens up a new immunotherapy strategy for future clinical application.
Areas of interest: Nanomaterials – Organic/Inorganic hybrids – Metal oxides – Lanthanides – Magnetic materials – Magnetic Resonance Imaging – Surface Modification – Drug Delivery – Responsive Sensing - Theranostics
Representative publication: Exploring precision polymers to fine-tune magnetic resonance imaging properties of iron oxide nanoparticles.
Aaron M. King, Caroline Bray, Stephen C.L. Hall, Joseph C. Bear, Lara K. Bogart, Sebastien Perrier, Gemma-Louise Davies, J. Colloid Interf. Sci., 2020, 579, 401-411
Research in the Davies Functional Nanomaterials Group aims to develop nanocomposites to solve important challenges in medicine and healthcare, focusing on the design and development of novel nanomaterials as functional MRI contrast agents and targeted drug delivery devices, including responsive theranostic agents. We develop new and innovative techniques to prepare nanostructures, combining traditional synthetic approaches (such as precipitation, organometallic and solvothermal syntheses) with innovative magnetically and thermally-driven techniques to produce unusual nanostructures and nanocomposites with enhanced properties. The work is highly interdisciplinary, working with collaborators across Chemistry, Engineering, Life Sciences and Medicine in the UK and throughout the World.
Areas of interest: Analytical Chemistry – Bio/chemical Sensing – Sample Preparation – Hydrogels – Fluid Manipulation
Representative publication: Method for Determining Average Iron Content of Ferritin by Measuring its Optical Dispersion.
R Gupta, NA Alamrani, GM Greenway, N Pamme, NJ Goddard Anal. Chem., 2019, 91, 7366-7372.
Research in the Gupta group focuses on analytical tools/techniques, and spans from fundamental science through engineering to translational activities. Research in my group can be divided into three themes, which are described below. Optical bio/chemical sensing: We are studying interaction of light with light and/or matter to maximise overlap between light and analytes to be measured. We have applied this understanding to develop novel leaky waveguide and interferometric bio/chemical sensing methods and devices. We are interested in measuring proteins, DNA, small molecules, and microbes. Sample preparation: We are developing electrokinetic methods as well as hydrogels for concentrating analytes to be measured, and in many cases, removing interferents. One of our aims is to develop our hydrogels as lozenges to enable measurement of salivary biomarkers for early cancer detection. Fluid manipulation: We are studying shaping of acoustic beams for manipulation of droplets in mid-air and hydrophobic surfaces to perform high-throughput chemical and biological assays.
Areas of interest: DNA and RNA Recognition – Metallo-drugs – Bioinorganic Chemistry - Supramolecular Chemistry – Nanoscience – Imaging Agents in Biology – Anti-cancer Agents – Anti-viral Agents
Representative publication: Organometallic Pillarplexes that bind DNA 4-way Holliday Junctions and forks.
J.S. Craig, L. Melidis, H.D. Williams, S.J. Dettmer, A.A. Heidecker, P.J. Altmann, S.Guan, C. Campbell, D.F. Browning, R.K.O. Sigel, S. Johannsen, R.T. Egan, B. Aikman, A. Casini, A. Pöthig, M.J. Hannon, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2023, 145, 13570-13580.
Research in the Hannon group explores the design and synthesis of new metal-based supramolecular motifs to recognise DNA and RNA structures. We use non-covalent recognition to bind in the heart of DNA and RNA junctions and bulges. These are key structures associated with some cancers, many viruses, and neurological diseases. Our shape-fit structural specificity is a powerful alternative to traditional nucleic acid sequence specificity, and the metallo-supramolecular cations we create show fascinating biological activity - some as anti-cancer drugs and some against viruses including HIV-1 and SARS-CoV-2. We link in vitro biophysical observations to cell studies to understand where and how the chemistry is occurring in the cell and how recognition of the DNA/RNA induces the biological response. Other ongoing activities include metallo-drug delivery and targeting, design of metallo imaging agents for a variety of imaging modalities and design of nanoparticles for application in biology.
Researchers in our team employ a multidisciplinary approach and gain expertise in synthetic chemistry (inorganic, organic, supramolecular) and in applying biophysical methods and computer simulations to recognition of different DNA and RNA structures, with studies of activity, efficacy, and mechanism of action in living biological systems. We collaborate with chemists, biologists and medics at Birmingham and across the globe.
Areas of interest: Antivirals – Polymers – Transfection – Virology - Nanomaterials – Supramolecular Chemistry – Viral Detection
Representative publication: Star-polymers as potent broad-spectrum extracellular virucidal antivirals.
Elana H. Super, Si Min Lai, Urszula Cytlak-Chaudhuri, Francesco Coppola, Olivia Saouaf, Ye Eun Song, Kerriann M. Casey, Lauren J. Batt, Shannan-Leigh Macleod, Robert H.T. Bagley, Zarah Walsh-Korb, Petr Král, Eric A. Appel, Mark A. Travis, Samuel T. Jones, BioRxiv, 2024, 10.1101/2024.07.10.602907
Research in the Jones Lab focuses around three main themes: 1) Broad-spectrum antivirals, 2) Viral detection/Sensing and 3) Triggered and controlled transfection/delivery. The group has a specific focus on delivering practical solutions to real-world problems with currently 4 patents pending on their antiviral work, with one already licensed to a spin-out company.
We have developed a wide range of materials that exhibit broad-spectrum antiviral properties, specifically with the highly desirable virucidal mechanism (Polymer Chem., 2024, ACS Infectious Diseases, 2023 and Biorxiv, 2024). Virucidal materials are typically highly toxic but are well known to show potent antiviral properties against a range of viruses (think bleach). However, what makes our materials different is that we can take this highly advantageous virucidal mechanism and apply it to non-toxic materials such as polymers, nanomaterials and more. This has allowed us to produce some of the most potent antivirals ever reported. In addition, we have developed novel testing and screening methodologies that allow for a quicker time to discovery for novel antiviral materials (Biomac, 2024).
We are actively looking to work with academia, industry and other collaborators to continue the development of our promising antiviral candidates and screening methodologies.
Areas of interest: De novo peptide/protein Design – Bioinorganic Chemistry – Lanthanides – MRI Contrast Agents – Artificial Metalloenzymes
Representative publication: Design of the elusive proteinaceous oxygen donor copper site suggests a promising future for copper for MRI contrast agents.
Shah, A.; Taylor, M. J.; Molinaro, G.; Anbu, S.; Verdu, M.; Jennings, L.; Mikulska, I.; Diaz-Moreno, S.; Mkami, H. E. L.; Smith, G. M.; Britton, M. M.; Lovett, J. A.; Peacock, A. F. A., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA., 2023, 120, e2219036120.
Research in the Peacock group aims to bring together the best of Chemistry and Biology to advance metalloprotein design. More specifically the group combines Inorganic Chemistry with Synthetic Biology to design de novo metallopeptides capable of performing functions not in the current repertoire of biology. Active projects within the group include the design of lanthanide coiled coils, such as gadolinium coiled coils which we are probing as potential MRI contrast agents; copper coiled coils for use in MRI: artificial metalloenzymes; and DNA-peptide hybrid assemblies.
Areas of interest: Photoactive Metal Complexes – Luminescent Lanthanides – Nanoparticles – Antibiotic Delivery – Localised Drug Delivery – Photophysics – Luminescence Detection – Self-assembly
Representative publication: Near infra-red luminescent osmium labelled gold nanoparticles for cellular imaging and singlet oxygen generation.
L. S. Watson, J. Hughes, S.T., Rafik, A.R. Muguruza, P.M. Girio, S.O. Akponasa, G. Rochford, A.J. Macrobert, N.J Hodges, E. Yaghini , Z, Pikramenou, Nanoscale, 2024,16, 16500-16509.
Gold Nanoparticles decorated with osmium complexes display near infra red emission and photoactivated therapeutic function in cancer cells.
Research in the Pikramenou group involves the design of luminescent molecular and nanosized probes for detection, drug delivery and therapy. We use luminescent sensing schemes in a range of settings. In healthcare: nanoprobe designs for uptake in cancer cells (JACS Au 2021, JACS 2018), anticancer drug delivery (Chem Sci 2019), antibiotic delivery (Nanoscale Adv); In environment: detection of perfluorinated pollutants in water (Anal. Chem 2024).
Our projects involve coordination chemistry with transition metal complex designs (Chem Eur J 2022), luminescent lanthanides (Inorg. Chem 2019), photophysical properties and nanoscience, taking molecular photophysical properties to the nanoscale.
Our projects are interdisciplinary and we collaborate with biochemists, microbiologists, clinicians, engineers and environmental scientists.
Research Collaborations
Section members are actively engaged with both industrial and academic partners within the UK and overseas as well as in collaborative projects across the University of Birmingham (School of Biosciences, School of Chemical Engineering and the College of Medical and Dental Sciences, Department of Cancer and Genomics Sciences). This includes cross-disciplinary areas of research activity covered by the School of Chemistry's research themes, in particular Molecular Synthesis, Health, Sustainability, and interdisciplinary centres such as the Healthcare Technologies Institute. Our members regularly engage with UoB Enterprise to push ideas to commercially relevant TRLs and spin-out companies.
Wider engagement
Research carried out in the Chemistry for Biodiscovery and Medicine Section plays a crucial role in maintaining and improving our standard of life. Members of the Section work closely with the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Society of Chemical Industry and the Royal Society as committee members and Fellows, to enable effective knowledge transfer across academia and industry and to enhance public awareness of this central area of Chemistry.
Contact
Enquiries about specific aspects of their respective research areas should be addressed to individual research group leaders. For more general enquiries about working with the Synthesis Section, please contact Professor Andy Wilson (Section Lead). Information on various postgraduate (PhD and Masters) degree opportunities can be found on our postgraduate opportunities page.