Chemistry seminars
Find out about all of the upcoming seminars in the Department of Chemistry.
Autumn-Winter 2025-26
Departmental Seminars are generally held on Wednesdays. Please always check the time as it might change for some speakers.
- October
Departmental Seminar: Optical microcavity sensors: from the lab to the river
1 October 12:00 DB-LT01
Speakers: Prof. Claire Vallance
(University of Oxford)
Contact: Prof Anthony MeijerAbstract
Optical microcavities are small structures that trap light through multiple reflections. When combined with spectroscopic measurements they provide a signal amplification of several orders of magnitude, enabling the development of miniaturised optical sensors with very low power and reagent requirements. I will start by explaining how optical microcavities work and how they can be used in applications ranging from refractive index and absorption spectroscopy measurements to micron-scale dye lasers and dosimeters for nanomedicines. I will also talk about the journey (so far) to commercialisation of the technology via a new spin-out company, Mode Labs, which is developing remotely deployable environmental sensors to provide accurate real-time data on river water quality.
Departmental Seminar: Discovery of new enzymes and pathways for sustainable (bio)synthesis
8 October 12:00 DB-LT01
Speaker: Prof Jason Micklefield
(Imperial College)Contact: Prof Nadav Amdursky
Abstract
Jason's lab discovers novel enzymes from unusual bacteria in nature. They characterise these enzymes to determine their structures and mechanisms. With this knowledge, they are able to re-programme the enzymes to create variants that can catalyse new reactions. These engineered enzymes are used to produce novel antibiotics to combat antimicrobial resistance, antiviral agents, anticancer agents and other useful molecules.
Key references:
Torri et al Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2025, 64, e202422185 (https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202422185);
Xu et al Nature Chem Biol 2024, 20, 1371–1379 (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41589-024-01657-7);
Bering et al Nature Commun. 2022, 13, 380. (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-28005-4).
Winn et al. Nature 2021, 593, 391–398. (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-021-03447-w);
Thong et al. Nature Commun 2021, 12, 6872. (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-27139-1);
Craven et al. Nature Catalysis 2021, 4, 385–394. (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41929-021-00603-3).Departmental Seminar: Modular Synthesis and Machine Learning for the Discovery of Novel Metalloantibiotics
15 October 12:00 DB-LT-01
Speaker: Dr Angelo Frei
(University of York)Contact: Prof Jim Thomas
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is already causing over 1 million deaths each year. With the clinical pipeline for novel antibiotics with new modes of actions very sparse, this number is expected to further increase in the coming years. As conventional approaches to bacterial infections are failing to provide novel and effective drugs, alternative treatment modalities need to be considered. Over the last decade, metal-based compounds (metalloantibiotics), have emerged as potential new classes of antimicrobial agents. In this talk I highlight the promise of transition metal complexes as antimicrobial agents and how we employ modular synthesis, automation and machine learning to systematically explore this vast chemical space for promising compounds. This includes our recent training of machine learning models able to increase the hit-rate for Gram-positive active ruthenium metalloantibiotics by a factor of 5x and very new work to expand high-throughput modular metal complex synthesis to novel ligand scaffolds.
Departmental Seminar: Nucleic acid conjugates: remote control, targeting, and entirely new functions
22 October, 12:00 DB-LT01
Speaker: Dr Mike Booth
(Uniiversity College London)Contact: Prof Nick Turner
Abstract
We are entering the age of nucleic acid (DNA/RNA) technologies. DNA and RNA form the basis for many therapeutic and experimental technologies, including gene editing and silencing, several aspects of nanotechnology, aptamers and their applications, and cell-free gene expression. However, their application is limited by the chemistry of nucleic acids. A major goal of the Booth group is the generation of nucleic acid conjugates to overcome current major challenges in their delivery and targeting, and to produce entirely new functions to increase their therapeutic potential. Controlling nucleic acid function would greatly expand their application in biology and medicine, by reducing toxic on/off-target effects. To this end, we have generated remote-controlled nucleic acids under the control of orthogonal wavelengths of light (JACS, Chem. Sci.) and magnetism (Nat. Chem.). These controllable nucleic acids have also been applied in synthetic cells to control their communication with living cells (Nat. Chem. Biol.). Antisense oligonucleotides, short single stranded synthetic oligos, are the predominant form of nucleic acid therapeutics in the clinic. However, despite their success, approved ASOs target a narrow spectrum of diseases and their key mechanisms of action are predominantly localised within the nucleus. We have attached a nuclear importer to improve their activity in the nucleus (JACS) and developed a new mechanism of action for targeted mRNA degradation in the cytoplasm (Chem. Sci.). These nucleic acid conjugates will form the basis of a whole new suite of targeted therapeutics and technologies for basic research.
Departmental Seminar: Complementary tools for in situ analysis of porous materials – some perspectives
29 October, 12:00 DB-LT01
Speaker: Prof Len Barbour
(University of Lincoln )Contact: Dr Jona Foster
Abstract
The inclusion of small guest molecules into porous crystalline materials promises several exciting innovations in a wide range of areas, including separation and storage of gases or vapours, chemical sensing, and catalysis. Using now well-established principles of crystal engineering we can aspire to design porous materials with tailored structural and physical properties. However, there is still a need to develop new approaches to understanding the sometimes-complicated relationships between molecular-level structure and physico-chemical properties. In this regard, devising a range of complementary experiments to characterize materials under controlled environments such as gas pressure can be particularly challenging. This presentation will describe the development and application of a suite of approaches to structural analysis by means of in situ X-ray diffraction, complemented by physicochemical characterization using a combination of sorption analysis and thermoanalytical techniques.
- November
Departmental Seminar: Synthetic Information Molecules
5 November 12:00 DB-LT01
Speaker: Prof Chris Hunter
(University of Cambridge)
Contact: Prof Graham LeggettAbstract
The encoded recognition properties of nucleic acids are currently unrivalled in any other material. High fidelity sequence-selective duplex formation is the molecular basis for replication of the genetic information encoded by DNA and is finding widespread applications in the programmed assembly of complex nucleic acid nanostructures. We have been investigating the sequence-selective duplex formation and replication of synthetic recognition-encoded oligomers that bear no resemblance to the natural system. This talk will describe examples of different polymer architectures developed in our laboratory, highlighting the key supramolecular design principles that govern the competition between folding and duplex assembly and the requirements for high fidelity sequence information transfer between a template and copy strand.
Departmental Seminar: The discovery of selective P2Y2 receptor antagonists
12 November 12:00 DB-LT01
Speaker: Prof Michael Stocks
(University of Nottingham)
Contact: Dr Fadi SoukariehAbstract
The seminar will discuss the discovery and synthesis of new, non-nucleotide based P2Y2 receptor antagonists and their potential use in drug discovery programs.
Departmental Seminar: Designing Polymers with the End in Mind: Creating circular routes to polymers using light-based strategies
19 November 12:00 DB-LT01
Speaker: Prof Andrew Dove
(University of Birmingham)Contact: Prof Steve Armes FRS
Abstract
One of the unresolved consequences of the massive global production of plastic is the lack of proper waste management. As a consequence of technological limitations as well as inefficient collection and sorting methods, current recycling schemes are underperforming. In part this is a result of the inherent linear design of our polymer systems, and lack of consideration of waste management and environmental impact of the waste that does escape into the environment, at the polymer design stage. We, among others, are focussing on creating tools that could be applied to design polymers ‘with the end in mind’ – i.e. to incorporate chemical bonding that can be easily processed to make polymers but readily reversed either ‘on demand’ for recycling, or upon exposure to environmental triggers. To this end, we have focussed on two different aspects of this challenge: (1) to design photoset materials that can be processed by advanced methods such as additive manufacturing that are sustainably sourced but can be readily circularised in a closed loop process and (2) to apply efficient click chemistries for the synthesis of polymers that not only have useful properties and inherent recyclability but also degrade to specific and predictable, non-toxic by products upon exposure to light.
Departmental Seminar: Fundamental Forces at Near Touching Interfaces
26 November 12:00 DB-LT01
Speaker: Prof Elena Besley
(University of Nottingham )
Contact: Prof Julia WeinsteinAbstract
When charged interfaces are near touching, electrostatic interactions exhibit a counter-intuitive behaviour leading to both attractive and repulsive forces regardless of the sign of charge on the interfaces. In this talk, we will demonstrate and discuss these complex electrostatic phenomena in a variety of physical and chemical scenarios. We will further extend these studies to include the Casimir effects between near touching neutral interfaces, which are quantum mechanical in nature as they stem from the permanent existence of fluctuating fields on either side of the quantum cavity created between the interfaces. Due to the lack of sophisticated instrumentation capable of measuring these subtle changes in electrostatic and Casimir force, these effects remained experimentally elusive for many years, drawing little interest outside the theoretical community. However, with the recent rise of research in high-resolution force measurements, plasmonics, and metamaterials, the explosive potential of the electrostatic and Casimir effects has become apparent showing that these forces can be manipulated and investigated at the unprecedented level of accuracy and versatility.
- December
Departmental Seminar: Towards Transition Metals in Therapeutics and Diagnostics, From Time-resolved Studies of Ruthenium Polypyridyl Complexes to Radiosensitising Gold Nanocomposites
3 December 12:00 DB-LT01
Speaker: Prof Susan Quinn
(University College Dublin )
Contact: Prof Julia WeinsteinAbstract
Photoinduced processes of DNA bound transition metal polypyridyl complexes have a wide range of potential applications in the areas of photodynamic therapy, DNA imaging and diagnostics. We have extensively use time-resolved spectroscopy to study the excited state dynamics of these processes for intercalating ruthenium dppz (dipyridophenazine) type polypyridyl complexes. In this talk recent results on the development of ruthenium polypyridyl complexes containing infrared probes to learn about binding site interactions and monitor guanine photo-oxidation will be described. In particular, the use of complementary spectroscopic (including time-resolved infrared (TRIR)), electrochemical and computational techniques will be highlighted. Additionally, recent results from the study of a DNA light-switch metal complex comprising an intercalating polypyridyl ligand with an amide linked pentyl chain [Ru(phen)2(dpqa)]2+, where dpqa = 2-pentylamidodipyrido[3,2-f:2’,3'-h]-quinoxaline will be shared. In the final part of the talk research to improve the effectiveness of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to enhance radiotherapy will be described. This approach exploits the release of low energy electrons from AuNPs upon X-ray radiation, which results in highly localised damage to surrounding cell structures. Our approach, in collaboration with the Coulter group in Queens in Belfast is to develop AuNP nanocomposites capable of delivering localised high cellular concentrations of gold. The first generation polystyrene nanocomposites show minimal direct toxicity, increased stability to physiological environments, increased cellular uptake efficiency and significant radiation dose enhancements (under Xray irradiation) compared to free AuNPs. These properties have now been improved in second generation biocompatible silica nanocomposites.
Departmental Seminar: My Career at the Academic/Industry Interface
10 December 12:00 DB-LT01
Speaker: Prof Steve Armes FRS
Contact: Prof Nadav AmdurskyAbstract
Why should academics bother to work with industry? There is an obvious and boring answer to this question: money! However, my lecture will highlight many other (and better) reasons why academics should actively engage with the commercial sector. For example, my industrial partners have given me many important technical problems to solve that have challenging constraints – problems that I would never have known about if I had stayed in my ‘ivory tower’. As a synthetic polymer chemist, I have gained access to various proprietary (meth)acrylic monomers under development by companies such as Ashland, BASF and GEO. Such building blocks have given my team new scientific avenues to explore while maintaining a competitive ‘edge’ over our academic rivals. Sometimes my industrial collaborations have given my team access to instrumentation (e.g. QCM, courtesy of Lubrizol) that has inspired new project directions. In turn, my team’s expertise with characterisation techniques such as analytical centrifugation or solution densitometry has encouraged companies such as BP and Lubrizol to purchase these instruments for in-house use. Having an industrial partner has enabled me to recruit highly motivated PhD students while providing project discipline via regular technical update meetings. It has also led to high-quality joint publications and patent applications, impact case studies, and occasional consultancy. Having industrial contacts has also sometimes helped my former group members find employment within the UK chemical industry. Many of the above points will be illustrated in my lecture. In summary, my academic career would look very difficult – and would have been much less successful – had I chosen not to engage with industry.
Departmental Seminar: From Genes to Machines: Multiphysics Biomolecular Simulations
17 December 12:00 DB-LT01
Speaker: Prof Sarah Harris
(University of Sheffield)
Contact: Prof Anthony MeijerAbstract
Using the physics of DNA supercoiling and molecular motors as illustrative examples, I will provide a conceptual overview that highlights the key questions for modelling we must address to gain a theoretical understanding of molecular biology.
Spring-Summer 2025-26
- January
Departmental Seminar: Understanding and exploiting peptide- and protein-metal assemblies
21 January 12:00 DB-LT01
Speaker: Dr Aimee Boyle
(University of Bristol )Contact: Dr Barbara Ciani
Abstract
Peptide/protein-metal complexes fulfil a range of functions including electron transfer, catalysis, and sensing. To realise such functions, structural rearrangements of the metal-protein complexes are
necessary, therefore an understanding of the relationship between metal-binding and protein folding is critical. My group uses de novo designed peptides and proteins to probe relationships between peptide/protein folding and metal binding, and to explore applications of these complexes.
In this seminar I will address two different projects. The first explores the stabilisation of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) by peptide amphiphiles (PAs). [1,2] GNPs have a tendency to aggregate, which
limits their applications in vitro and in vivo. However, stabilisation with an appropriate moiety can prevent aggregation and facilitate specific functions. We developed a series of PAs and explored their ability to stabilise GNPs of differing shapes and size. We were successfully able to stabilise both gold nanorods (GNRs) and spherical GNPs ranging in size from 15-100 nm. Moreover, we were able to
functionalise these PAs with model epitopes and explore the effect of the different GNP-peptide conjugates on immune responses in vitro. The second project focuses on understanding how metal-binding can affect protein folding, and vice versa. We have developed simple helical proteins (based on previously developed metallopeptides) that are unfolded in the apo state but that fold in the presence of transition metal ions. [3,4] Interesting, these proteins bind differing numbers of transition metal ions and have different stabilities, indicating a degree of metal selectivity. Moreover, we show that the type of metal ion bound, the position of the binding site, and the composition of the linkers between the helices all affect protein structure and metal affinity, demonstrating that small changes to a protein’s structure can have far-reaching consequences for its resulting stability and function. Furthermore, we are starting to explore the applications of such structures and I will discuss our efforts towards building sensors and how we have incorporated a readout for metal-binding into our sensing platform.1. Egorova et al., ACS Nano, (2020), 5874-5886.
2. Egorova et al., RSC Advances, (2022), 19703-19716.
3. Boyle et al., Chem. Sci., (2019), 7456-7465.
4. Rooijakkers et al., ChemBioChem, (2025), e202500322.Departmental Seminar: TBA
28 January 12:00 DB-LT01
Speaker: Prof James Bull
(Imperial College London)Contact: Prof Joe Harrity
Abstract
TBA
- February
Departmental Seminar: TBA
4 February 12:00 DB-LT01
Speaker: Prof Dwayne Heard
(University of Leeds)
Contact: Prof Anthony MeijerAbstract
TBA
Departmental Seminar: Smart Materials and Biomimicry: Pioneering Technologies Reshaping the Future of Healthcare
10 February TBA
Speaker: Dr Mark Sullivan
(Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology)Contact: Prof Anthony Meijer
Abstract
This talk will introduce cutting-edge smart materials and biomimetic systems that are transforming modern healthcare. The talk will showcase the development of synthetic recognition nanomaterials and their use as antibody replacements in non-invasive stress monitoring sensors, with commercialisation being evaluated across Japan, South America, and the United States. Additionally, we will explore innovation organ-on-chip biomimetic platforms designed to replicate human tissue environments, offering ethical, animal-free models for drug testing and regulatory approval. These technologies represent a paradigm shift toward personalised healthcare, real-time physiological monitoring, and accelerated drug development. Together, they highlight the potential of smart biomaterials to redefine health diagnostics and therapeutic evaluation.
Departmental Seminar: TBA
11 February 12:00 DB-LT01
Speaker: Prof Matthew Rosseinsky
(University of Liverpool)Contact: Prof Graham Leggett
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Departmental Seminar: TBA
18 February 12:00 DB-LT01
Speaker: Prof Claudia Blindauer
(University of Warwick )Contact: Prof Jim Thomas
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25 February 12:00 DB-LT01
Speaker: Prof Barbara Kasprzyk-Hordern
(University of Bath)Contact: Prof Nick Turner
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- March
RSC Analytical Science mid-career Prize: TBA
4 March 12:00 DB-LT01
Speaker: Prof Damion Corrigan
(University of )Contact: Prof Nick Turner
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11 March 12:00 DB-LT01
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18 March 12:00 DB-LT01
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25 March 12:00 DB-LT01
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TBA- April
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22 April 12:00 DB-LT01
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29 April 12:00 DB-LT01
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- May
Departmental Seminar: TBA
6 May 12:00 DB-LT01
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(University of )Contact: Prof Nadav Amdursky
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13 May 12:00 DB-LT01
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20 May 12:00 DB-LT-01
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TBA- June
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3 June 12:00 DB-LT01
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10 June 12:00 DB-LT01
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