Research

“The development of dual-modal probes for cancer imaging”
Apoptosis is the most common form of programmed cell death. As such, it acts as a key mechanism in many pathological diseases. We are working to develop dual-modal lipophilic cations to target the mitochondria, and improve the diagnosis of a number of diseases, including cancer. Additionally we are developing activatable imaging probes for the selective detection of metal ions and disease relevant enzymes.

The project encompasses a wider collaboration between other research groups at Imperial College London, Hong Kong University and Peking University, Beijing.

Personal

I completed my PhD at Durham University in late 2017 under the supervision of Prof. David Parker and Prof. J. A. Gareth Williams. Outside the lab, I enjoy playing and watching sport, especially the 2015/16 Premier League Champions Leicester City FC!

Research

"The Development of a Fluorescent Reporter Probe for Enzyme-Activity of Heme Oxygenase-1 (HO-1)"
Heme oxygenase (HO) is an important homeostatic enzyme in vascular biology and cell signalling. The isoform HO-1 is by far the most studied, playing a significant role in the prevention of disease due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic properties.

In collaboration with Dr Joe Boyle (National Heart and Lung Institute, Hammersmith hospital) we are working to develop and synthesise a series of new FRET-based reporter probes for HO-1.

Personal

Research

“Development of macrocyclic chelates for rare earth metal complexation, and applications in diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear imaging”
Nuclear medicine exploits radioactive isotopes of a wide range of elements for the diagnosis and treatment of disease. A large portion of these are metals. To utilise metal-based radioisotopes, radiometals, in nuclear medicine, a chelator must form thermodynamically and kinetically stable metal complexes. A plethora of chelators exist for small radiometal complexation, but sufficient chelators for large radiometals are much less common. We are working to develop a series of macrocyclic chelators to form thermodynamically and kinetically stable complexes, including the incorporation of bioconjugate groups to successful target a range of diseases.

The project encompasses a wider collaboration between other research groups at Imperial College London, King’s College London, and Southampton University through the MITHRAS programme.

Research

“Development of Organometallic-Functionalised Perovskite Solar Cells”

Metal-halide perovskite solar cells have emerged as an innovative photovoltaic technology due to their extraordinary optoelectronic properties, low cost and solution processability. However, their efficiencies and operational lifetimes often lag behind commercial silicon-based solar cells. Organometallic functionalisation of perovskite solar cells has recently been shown to provide excellent, and promising, efficiencies and stability to compete with these commercial devices (Science, 2022, 376, 416).

In collaboration with world-leading academic research groups and industry partners, we aim to synthesise and evaluate a range of novel organometallic compounds to drive the development and translation of organometallic-based perovskite solar cell devices.

Personal

I completed my PhD in Chemistry from The University of Auckland, New Zealand, in 2022 under the supervision of Prof. Christian Hartinger and Prof. James Wright. During my PhD we investigated stimulus-responsive heterobimetallic supramolecular architectures as model systems for anticancer drug delivery. In my spare time I enjoy travelling, exercising, watching rugby and going to live gigs.

Research

"Enhancing mimetic efficiency towards increasing photosynthetic efficiency"

Some species of plants have developed CO₂ concentrating mechanisms to increase cellular CO₂ levels and therefore increase the efficiency of photosynthesis. One such mechanism, based upon the catalytic conversion of bicarbonate salts into CO₂ by carbonic anhydrases (CAs), has inspired this research. CA has one of the fastest known enzymatic catalytic activities, with a rate of CO₂ hydration of ca. 106 molecules per second per enzyme. Earlier work from our group demonstrated that chemical mimetics formed of zinc(II) coordination compounds are able to capture and release CO₂ with the largest rate constant of any small-molecule CA mimic reported (Rains et al, ACS Catal., 2019, 9, 1353).

Building upon this work, we are interested in increasing the bioavailability of the chemical mimetic through ligand modifications towards carrying out in vivo studies. In parallel we are also developing a range of different and novel transition metal coordination compounds as bioavailable chemical mimetics.

Personal

I completed my MChem degree at the University of Sussex with Prof. Geoff Cloke followed by a move to London where I completed my PhD at Imperial College London under the supervision of Prof. Mark Crimmin. I then carried out a short postdoc position with Dr David Pugh at King’s College London. After a short stint in teaching, I came back to the lab.

Outside of the lab I enjoy watching football (Good Ol’ Sussex By The Sea!), travelling, lifting things up and putting them back down, techno, gaming and engaging in hipster coffee culture.

Research

"Ligand development for nanoparticle functionalisation"

I will be working on the development of ligands for functionalisation of nanoparticles to develop new tools for the diagnosis of colorectal cancer. These will utilise multiple modalities to enhance disease diagnosis, enable precision surgery and facilitate cancer surveillance.

The project is on the EPSRC grant “Translational nanoconstructs for targeted tissue accumulation and guided surgery in cancer” and works in collaboration with other research groups at the University of Hull and King’s College London.

Personal

I completed my MSci degree in Natural Sciences at the University of Bath, before moving to the University of Oxford to work for Prof. Stephen Faulkner on the Systems Approaches to Biomedical Sciences CDT. I had a brief stint in industry working on process development chemistry for active pharmaceutical ingredients.

Outside of work, I enjoy drinking tea, cuddling cats, watching tv, eating out at different restaurants and finding inspiration for home renovations.

Research

"Dual-Modal Probes for Imaging the Brain and Alzheimer’s Disease"

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting over 5 million people worldwide. It causes progressive and irreversible cognitive decline and eventually results in death. Alzheimer’s disease is characterised by three key biomarkers: amyloid-beta plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and neuroinflammation. Amyloid-beta plaques have been extensively imaged for the past two decades, but recent evidence suggests that it is actually the soluble amyloid-beta oligomers that are the neurotoxic species. The development of a molecular imaging probe that targets these oligomers specifically would allow an earlier diagnosis as well as potential new therapeutics and drugs to fight the disease.

The brain has been imaged over the past two decades using a variety of molecular imaging modalities, including PET, MRI, and optical imaging. PET has been the workhorse for this imaging due to its superior sensitivity and ability to often penetrate the blood-brain-barrier with small-molecule radiotracers. However, the focus is now moving onto MRI probes - which have superior spatial resolution, and optical probes - which are often cheaper and require low-cost detectors and machinery. Only a select few optical imaging probes have been developed for targeting the soluble amyloid-beta oligomers, and these probes could still be improved in terms of their binding ability and emission wavelengths. My work will aim to develop novel dual-modal optical/MRI probes for imaging soluble amyloid-beta oligomers, and more generally multi-modality probes for brain imaging and neuroinflammation.

Research

"An acoustic wavelet technology for delivering smart imaging probes to the brain"

Molecular imaging probes have the potential to transform neuroimaging. Whereas CT and conventional MRI provide structural and anatomic information of the brain, molecular probes can identify processes that are specific to a disease and its stage. This could allow doctors to classify the disease earlier and more accurately, and match it with the best therapeutic option (i.e., personalised medicine). Some important unmet needs include locating hidden cancer cells after surgical removal of a glioblastoma tumour; and identifying Alzheimer’s disease early so that the correct treatments can be initiated.

Research

"Development of novel photo-switchable catalysts for highly selective ring-opening polymerization"

Biopolymers synthesised through ring-opening polymerization show great potential as alternatives to commodity polyolefins. Yet, it is often synthetically challenging to control their microstructure and henceforth their material properties. Catalysts that can switch between different states to selectively control the mode of polymerization offer an exciting new pathway to fine control of polymer microstructure. In my project, I aim to design a new range of photo-switchable catalysts for ring-opening polymerization that can be switched in situ between two different initiating states and generate biopolymers with variable microstructure and crystallinity. 

Personal

I graduated with an MChem in chemistry in summer 2021 from the University of Edinburgh. I completed my master’s research project in the group of Dr Jenni Garden working on the synthesis of poly(lactic acid) and poly(caprolactone) block copolymers using a bis-zinc ProPhenol catalyst. In my spare time, I enjoy cooking, practising yoga, exploring new places to eat in London and hiking when I can escape the city. 

Research

“Heme Oxygenase-1 Targeted Probes for Diagnostic, Theranostic and Therapeutic Applications”
Heme oxygenase (HO) is an important homeostatic microsomal enzyme that regulates the concentration of cytotoxic ‘free’ heme. The isoform HO-1 is by far the most studied and its overexpression is associated with a number of diseases including atherosclerosis and cancer. Therefore, this project aims to synthesise a series of FRET-based reporter probes for HO-1 activity and develop anticancer compounds that utilise HO-1 inhibition.

Personal

I graduated from Imperial in 2022 with an MSci in Chemistry. My final year project, which was carried out under the supervision of Prof. Nick Long, aimed at developing novel PDT agents by combining photosensitisers with an HO-1 inhibitor. In my free time I like to travel around the UK. I also “enjoy” riding my Brompton up steep hills and dream of owning an electric bike.

Research

“To separate and bind: chelators for the extraction and stable coordination of radioactive metal ions”
Nuclear medicine entails a wide range of radioactive isotopes, from various elements, for the diagnosis and treatment of disease. In recent years, molecular radiopharmaceuticals that target overexpressed receptors in diseased tissue have improved treatment for neuroendocrine and prostate cancer patients. Such radiopharmaceuticals rely on “theranostic” pairs: a diagnostic molecular imaging agent for PET or SPECT imaging alongside a radiotherapeutic systemic agent. Commonly, therapeutic agents are based on β-emitting radiometals (⁶⁸Ga, ¹⁷⁷Lu) yet, α-emitting radiometals (²²³Ra, ²²⁵Ac, ²¹²Pb, ²²⁷Th) are of growing interest for late-stage cancer patients.

Legacy nuclear waste contains large and valuable amounts of numerous, clinically useful radioisotopes. By developing a range of macrocyclic chelators, we intend to selectively recycle nuclear stock to meet clinical demand: selective extraction of the desired α-emitting radiometals and stable incorporation into a biological targeting vector for delivery to diseased tissue.

This project is part of a wider collaboration between Imperial College London and Kings College London meeting the research priorities of smart imaging probes and dual diagnostic imaging/radiotherapeutic pairs of radioactive molecular agents.

Personal

I graduated from Imperial College London in 2023 with an MSci (Hons) Degree in Chemistry. My final year project was under the supervision of Dr. Maxie Roessler, focused on the effect of reactive oxygen species on lipid membranes.

Beyond chemistry, I enjoy skiing, playing tennis, baking, searching for new brunch spots in London and most of all travelling to explore new places.

Research

“Theranostic Antibacterial Agents Based on Nanoparticles and Phototoxic Metal Complexes”
To combat the emergence of certain multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria, developing novel antibacterial agents has become a pressing issue. Metal-based therapeutics have been regarded as attractive alternatives to traditional drugs. In this project, we aim to design novel nanoconjugates that include the following features: i) iron oxide nanoparticles as platforms for drug delivery and in vivo monitoring via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); ii) phototoxic metal complexes based on Ru(II), Re(I), and Pt(II), which are only activated once cleaved from the nanoparticles via enzymatic action and light irradiation; iii) targeting vectors (e.g. peptides) designed to target bacteria selectively.

Personal

I graduated from Imperial College London in 2023 with an MSci degree in Chemistry. My final year project, which was carried out under the supervision of Prof. Oscar Ces, focused on inducing endocytic behaviours among giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) via simple protein-membrane interactions.

Beyond chemistry, I enjoy reading, drinking tea, gaming, watching musicals, and watching show-jumping, especially the Longines Global Champions Tour.

Research

“Controlling polymerisation reactions via switchable catalysis”
In recent years, there has been a huge interest in developing polymers that are both bioderived and biodegradable. The ring-opening polymerisation (ROP) of cyclic esters and carbonates has become a popular strategy to achieve this goal. Although promising, fine control over polymer properties is a problem. Through this project, we will aim to develop novel, 'switchable' catalysts which can polymerise different monomers depending on the chemical state of the catalyst, thereby yielding polymers with well-controlled structures.

This project is kindly supported by means of the Wilkinson Trust Scholarship and is co-supervised by Dr Charles Romain.

Personal

I graduated from Imperial College London in 2023 with an MSci in Chemistry. My final year project, which was carried out under the supervision of Prof George Britovsek, focused on developing nickel-based catalysts for the synthesis of acrylic acid from carbon dioxide and ethylene.

In my spare time, I enjoy exploring new places, cooking and most of all, watching and playing tennis.

Research

“Enhancing C₃ Photosynthesis with Water Soluble Biomimetics”
My project involves developing and testing novel water-soluble carbonic anhydrase mimics that could improve the efficiency of photosynthesis, thus improving crop yield and combating world hunger without necessitating additional farming space. The project is co-supervised by Dr Laura Barter and Dr Rudiger Woscholski and is co-funded by Syngenta.

Personal

My name is Sean Nwachukwu and I am a PhD student in the Chemical Biology & Bioentrepreneurship CDT.  I’m from Hertfordshire and my family are originally from Nigeria (Igbo tribe). Previously I did an Integrated master’s degree in ‘Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry’ at the University of St Andrews.

In my spare time, I look for literally any excuse to socialise, I like to travel, watch Formula 1 (Ferrari fan) and football (Chelsea fan), and write poems and screenplays for films and TV shows. 

Research

“Dual-Modal Click Conjugates for Brain Imaging”

Research

“Dual Targeted Therapy: Multimodal Heme Oxygenase-1 Inhibitor and Photosensitizer Conjugate Drug”