Research
Therapeutics for Channelopathies
- The cellular transport of anions such as chloride, phosphate and bicarbonate is vital to maintain the electrochemical gradients responsible for regulating several metabolic processes, as well as electrical signalling in nerves and muscles.
- This transport is predominantly facilitated by proteins which span the lipid bilayer and create a hydrophilic channel into the cellular environment.
- Defects in the operation of these channels can limit the movement of anions, and result in several debilitating and life-altering diseases, known collectively as channelopathies.
We aim to develop small organic molecules which solely transport anions (uniport), and can be used therapeutically to replace faulty ion channels.
Anti-Cancer Agents
- Cancer is a leading cause of death in Australia, with an estimated 50,000 deaths from cancer in 2019.
- Small molecules that transport an anion and a proton simultaneously (symport) can disrupt pH gradients across cell membranes and increase cellular ion concentrations.
- We have shown that these processes can lead to apoptosis in cancer cells, and promote autophagy by affecting lysosomal pH.
Our current research in this area is focussed on developing these compounds so they are targeted towards cancer cells, and to control their release within biological systems.
Materials for Anion Capture
- Contamination of water sources and waste streams with anions is a pressing global issue.
- Phosphate and nitrate run-off from farming causes harmful eutrophication of rivers, and sulfate interferes with processes required for safe long-term storage of nuclear waste.
- Supramolecular systems can be used to bind to anionic contaminants and extract them from aqueous solutions.
We are exploring the formation of higher-order aggregates between planar macrocycles and anionic species as a mode of strong complexation and extraction from water.