One of the biggest challenges in biological chemistry is the design of small molecules that interact selectively with macromolecules. We are pioneering the development of the use of fragments to address this challenge. This approach involves close synergistic interaction between synthetic organic chemistry, biophysics and structural biology. We are using fragment-based methods to identify inhibitors of enzymes from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and to develop small molecules that modulate protein-protein interactions. We are also keen to explore new applications for fragments e.g. to identify molecules that modulate the activity of riboswitches, and to assign function to orphan proteins.
Our second major area of research is to develop the use of microdroplets in microfluidics as a novel experimental platform for biological chemistry. This research is highly interdisciplinary and involves biological chemistry, microfluidics, nanofabrication, laser spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. We are particularly interested in looking at cells in droplets, e.g. bacteria to study quorum sensing, algae for bio-fuel development.
Novel chemical tagging method for combinatorial synthesis utilizing Suzuki chemistry and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry
MH Todd, C Abell - J Comb Chem (
2001)
3, 319
(DOI:
10.1021/cc000112m)
Chemical force microscopy with active enzymes.
M Fiorini, R McKendry, MA Cooper, T Rayment, C Abell - Biophysical Journal (
2001)
80, 2471
(DOI:
10.1016/S0006-3495(01)76215-7)
A nondestructive technique for determining the spring constant of atomic force microscope cantilevers
CT Gibson, BL Weeks, JRI Lee, C Abell, T Rayment - REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS (
2001)
72, 2340
(DOI:
10.1063/1.1361080)
Studies with substrate and cofactor analogues provide evidence for a radical mechanism in the chorismate synthase reaction
A Osborne, RNF Thorneley, C Abell, S Bornemann - J BIOL CHEM (
2000)
275, 35825
(DOI:
10.1074/jbc.M005796200)
Binding of vancomycin group antibiotics to D-alanine and D-lactate presenting self-assembled monolayers
MA Cooper, MT Fiorini, C Abell, DH Williams - Bioorg Med Chem (
2000)
8, 2609
(DOI:
10.1016/S0968-0896(00)00184-X)
The attachment and cleavage of phenols from solid supports and their single bead mass spectral analysis
MH Todd, C Abell - TETRAHEDRON LETT (
2000)
41, 8183
(DOI:
10.1016/S0040-4039(00)01431-3)
A secondary β deuterium kinetic isotope effect in the chorismate synthase reaction
S Bornemann, ME Theoclitou, M Brune, MR Webb, RNF Thorneley, C Abell - Bioorganic Chemistry (
2000)
28, 191
(DOI:
10.1006/bioo.2000.1174)
Reductive cleavage of N-O bonds using samarium(II) iodide in a traceless release strategy for solid-phase synthesis
RM Myers, SP Langston, SP Conway, C Abell - Org Lett (
2000)
2, 1349
(DOI:
10.1021/ol0055162)
Irreversible inhibition of type I dehydroquinase by substrates for type II dehydroquinase.
CG Bello, JM Harris, MK Manthey, JR Coggins, C Abell - Bioorg Med Chem Lett (
2000)
10, 407
(DOI:
10.1016/S0960-894X(00)00057-3)
Mechanistic studies on type I and type II dehydroquinase with (6R)- and (6S)-6-fluoro-3-dehydroquinic acids
EJ Parker, CG Bello, JR Coggins, AR Hawkins, C Abell - Bioorg Med Chem Lett (
2000)
10, 231
(DOI:
10.1016/S0960-894X(99)00660-5)
