Development of synthetic electrochemical methodologies for the synthesis of novel DNA binding agents
Anthracycline derivatives have been previously synthesised and tested for their binding properties at RGU. The synthesis of new, more selective derivatives is subject to the development of more environmentally benign procedures employing synthetic electrochemistry.
Research Opportunities
Summary
The anthraquinone polycyclic system is the core molecular template of a class of DNA binding agents. The anthracyclines, produced by streptomyces bacteria, have long been known to efficiently bind to DNA. Amongst these tetracyclic anthraquinone derivatives, doxorubicin, daunorubicin and epirubicyn are compounds of clinical importance and are employed in the treatment of a variety of human tumours. Mitoxantrone is another efficient DNA binding agent, with antineoplastic properties, obtained by bis-substitution of the anthraquinone framework. However, both anthracyclines and mitoxantrone display a lack of binding selectivity, which is reflected in unwanted toxicity and restricts their therapeutic indices.
The application of electrochemistry to the synthesis of organic molecules is not a new strategy. An early example of synthetic electrochemistry was described by Hermann Kolbe in 1848. Electrochemical methodologies will be developed during the course of this project for the synthesis of novel anthraquinone derived DNA binding agents.
Supervisors
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- Dr Alberto Di Salvo
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