PhD Research Project: Anthracene-HNO adducts for biological and therapeutic applications

There is recent evidence that the neutral molecule HNO has a potential use as a therapeutic agent, for example in the treatment of various heart disorders. It is highly reactive and is normally made available using HNO-releasing compounds or donors that release it in-situ, for example using heat or light. However, there is an issue over delivering the molecule to the right target in sufficient amounts in a biological environment.
In this project, we will explore ways in which HNO can be delivered using polymeric and DNA-based assemblies that act as targeting vectors. Various anthracene-HNO adducts containing suitable polymerisable groups will be prepared. Spectroscopic and polymerization studies will be undertaken to explore the extent to which this affects the efficiency of the HNO-release mechanism. This project is highly multidisciplinary and involves a collaboration between Prof Jim Tucker (Supramolecular Chemistry and DNA technology), Dr Francisco Fernandez-Trillo (Polymer Chemistry and Nanotechnology) and Dr Richard Grainger (Organic synthesis and photochemistry)

For further details about the project, please contact Prof Tucker (J.Tucker@bham.ac.uk), Dr Fernandez-Trillo (f.fernandez-trillo@bham.ac.uk) or Dr Grainger (R.S.Grainger@bham.ac.uk ).

Funding Notes

This PhD is fully funded and open to EU/UK applicants only. Applicants must have a Masters in Chemistry or a relevant related discipline at the upper second class level. An interest in Synthetic and Supramolecular Chemistry, Nanotechnology and Photochemistry is highly desirable.
For further details about the PhD program, including eligibility please visit: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/postgraduate/courses/research/chemistry/chemistry-phd.aspx

Please contact Prof Tucker (J.Tucker@bham.ac.uk), Dr Fernandez-Trillo (f.fernandez-trillo@bham.ac.uk) or Dr Grainger (R.S.Grainger@bham.ac.uk) for details regarding funding and the application procedure.

 

References

(1) Miao, Z., and King, S. B. (2016) Recent advances in the chemical biology of nitroxyl (HNO) detection and generation. Nitric Oxide 57, 1–14.
(2) Shoman, M. E., and Aly, O. M. (2016) Nitroxyl (HNO): A Reduced Form of Nitric Oxide with Distinct Chemical, Pharmacological, and Therapeutic Properties. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity 2016, 1–15.
(3) Nakagawa, H. (2013) Controlled release of HNO from chemical donors for biological applications. J. Inorg. Biochem. 118, 187–190.
(4) Miranda, K. M. (2005) The chemistry of nitroxyl (HNO) and implications in biology. Coordination Chemistry Reviews 249, 433–455.