Medicinal Chemistry Group
Head of laboratory:
Much of the research of this group is directed towards the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds that mimic GABA and glutamate, two key neurotransmitters in the mammalian brain. Pyridazine heterocycles have been identified as particularly interesting compounds. Both synthetic and structure-activity studies are directed towards the discovery of new selective agents that interact with amino acid receptors in the brain, particularly with GABA receptors and the AMPA subtype of glutamate receptors. One of the important features of the work of this research group is that the compounds can be designed, synthesised and tested in isolated tissue preparations. Furthermore, this group is part of a wider research effort to develop methods for assaying residual levels of insect growth regulators by immunoassay techniques. The research involves investigation of methods to couple benzoylphenylurea insect control agents to protein, so that the protein conjugates can be used for the induction of specific antibodies.
