Molecule III

Theme Leaders - Molecule III:

Prof. Martin Clynes
Dublin City University

Molecule III platform projects:

Project 1K: Mechanisms of anticancer drug resistance. Project P1L: Development of in vitro models for human differentiated tissues. Project 1M: Muscle and adipose tissue models for evaluation of mitochondrial effects and potential for treatment of type II diabetes. Project 1N: Bacterial and Fungal antibiotic resistance; mechanism discovery and screening systems. Project 1O: Development of targeted ‘click chemistry’ strategies for the characterisation of drug uptake and localisation in cellular environments.

Overall Objective:

The rationale around building the Molecules III leadership team was our opinion that many of the pure chemistry aspects of SSPC would be enhanced, particularly in terms of attractiveness of us to industry, by having access to systems to evaluate interaction with living biological systems. In particular, we provide a range of in vitro cell culture systems for assessing tissue-specific toxicity and efficacy of specific/drugs in diseases such as cancer and diabetes , biocompatibility and interaction with surfaces. Cell culture systems are generally faster, more ethically acceptable, cheaper and more flexible than animal testing even though some of this may be necessary afterwards - the initial use of cell culture systems is likely to reduce the extent to which animal testing is needed, and the number of animals used.

Key Scientific Expertise:

Microbial systems/antibiotic resistance
Diabetes models, glucose uptake, muscle, biological oxidation
Biological chemistry, design and in vitro e valuation of novel potential cancer chemotherapy drugs
Differentiated human cell models for intestinal transport, skin, ocular surface, lung
Cell culture models for cancer and drug resistance; cells used by Biopharma

The specific research projects encompass:

Cancer Biology and Pharmacology – focus on pancreatic cancer
Toxicity and Tissue -Specific human cell culture systems –focus on Tissue Engineering of the eye
Drug Resistance in Cancer
Diabetes, obesity, exercise physiology,muscle metabolism,
Biological Oxidation Processes
Process Development (upstream – downstream interaction) for the Biopharma Industry
Advanced LC-MS-MS Proteomic analysis
Bioorthogonal Click chemistry to develop hybrid drugs and new gene editing reagents

Industrial Significance:

The specific research questions being addressed by the Molecules III Team are in themselves of interest to industry, in particular to industry developing new therapeutic agents for cancer, diabetes, obesity and bacterial and fungal infections. In addition, the expertise being developed in this strand could, we believe, enhance the offerings to industry from other, more purely chemical, strands by providing biological information on toxicity, efficacy, biocompatibility and interaction between cells and surfaces. Some knowledge on demonstrated biological effects can help to derisk a project from Industry’s point of view. The Molecules III leadership team also has wide experience of research collaboration with the biopharmaceutical industry, and therefore a good understanding of what this industry is looking for externally in research collaborations.