Academic Staff

Teaching Responsibilities

• CHE4 Honours Chemistry

Research Expertise

Biological Chemistry; Multinuclear NMR. NMR structure of polypeptides and proteins; computer aided drug design. Design and synthesis of DNA binding compounds.

1. Computer graphics aided drug design.
   
2. Design and synthesis of model DNA regulators.
   
3. Multinuclear and industrial applications of NMR.
   
4. 3-dimensional structures of small (cyclic) peptides by NMR methods.
   
5. Development of new NMR methods for structural determination.
   
6. Effective teaching informed by research.
   

The Structure of small and unsual cyclic peptides

A full range of 2-D NMR methods are used to determine the 3-dimensional structure of biologically interesting cyclic peptides and peptidic like structures. In particular we are interested in cyclic N-methylated peptides where novel NMR methods are required for structural elucidation.

Protein/DNA Interactions, and Drug Design

(with D.R. Phillips)
In this project we aim to synthesise model drugs constructed from a short peptide a-helix coupled to a simple intercalator. These molecules are designed to bind to specific sequences in B-DNA and NMR methods will be used for structure determination, and to study drug/DNA interactions. Considerable use is made of 3-dimensional graphics to model the protein/DNA complex.

Application of NMR to Industrial and Analytical Analysis

To develop and use NMR as an Analytical tool to solve problems with industrial and medical applications.