Academic Staff

Research Expertise

Crystallographic Conformational Studies

X-ray crystallography is a powerful method for determining solid-state structures, and has been used to accurately determine the molecular conformations of a number of small molecules exhibiting a variety of biological activities. The broad aim of the research is to gain further insight into the mode of reaction at the molecular level of these biologically active compounds. A particular study has been of the alkaloid colchicine, C₂₂H₂₅NO₆ and related compounds.

Colchicine has long been known for its anti-tumour properties. It exerts a potent antimitotic activity by inhibition of the assembly of microtubules to tubulin which prevents cell division in living organisms and as such is a powerful anticancer agent. As colchicine itself is too toxic for therapeutic use, the conformational detail in a number of compounds which mimic its structure has been the subject of study.