Chief Investigator: Dr Sally-Ann Poulsen

Our research encompasses fundamental chemical investigations with the aims of (1) developing new therapeutics with improved safety, activity and tolerance; and (2) manipulating the chemistry of small molecules to allow labelling and visualisation of biomolecules within cells as they take part in complex biochemical processes.

1. We operate a focused synthesis and screening campaign to deliver potent inhibitors of carbonic anhydrases (CAs) with good selectivity profiles. Specifically we aim to develop CA inhibitors which could lead to therapies in:
   • Cancer: by targeting CA isozymes involved in tumourogenesis;
   • Malaria: by targeting the Plasmodium falciparum (malaria parasite) CA – required for de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis necessary for survival of this parasite.
2. We collaborate with the National Centre for Adult Stem Cell Research to develop biocompatible chemistry to deliver a new suite of small molecule chemical tools appropriate for live cell bioimaging to answer key biological questions for which existing protocols are poor, unavailable or require extensive secondary assays to differentiate results.

Information on potential Honours and PhD projects