Department of Chemistry

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.

Selected Publications

(for full list see http://www-abell.ch.cam.ac.uk/publication.html)

From microdroplets to microfluidics: selective emulsion separation in microfluidic devices. L M Fidalgo, G Whyte, D Bratton, C Abell, W T S Huck Angew. Chimie Intl. Ed. 2008, 47, 2042-2045

Fragment-based approaches to enzyme inhibition. A Ciulli & C Abell Curr. Op. Biotech. 2007, 18, 489-496

Nucleophile selectivity of chorismate-utilizing enzymes. ChemBioChem 2007, 8, 622-624

The application of fragment screening and fragment linking to the discovery of novel thrombin inhibitors. J. Med. Chem. 2006, 49, 1346-1355