Research in the Gene Therapy/Radiation Biology Programme is centred on ‘Experimental Therapeutics’ in relation to cancer, including strategies for enhancing radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The programme is developing novel gene therapy approaches that package genes within delivery systems that are attracted specifically to tumour cells, focusing on inducible nitric oxide synthase as a therapeutic transgene. A novel human gene, FKBPL/DIR1, has been isolated by the programme and it has been demonstrated that modulation of this gene can alter tumour radiosensitivity and cell growth. This research will ultimately identify targets that could help maximize the radio/chemosensitivity of tumour cells. Work on Heavy Atoms as Enhancers of Radiotherapy looks at irradiation of tumour cells in the presence of heavy atoms such as gold, as a means of overcoming problems with conventional radiotherapy. Radiation-induced complex DNA lesions in tumour tissue, into which heavy atoms have been pre-introduced, are being investigated. Novel delivery systems are being developed that will allow the heavy atoms to be preferentially targeted to tumours.

 

Further information: Prof. David Hirst

 

Peptide Discovery
Interest in peptides as therapeutic leads is undergoing a renaissance within the pharmaceutical industry as the numbers of new drugs from biological rather than chemical sources is steadily filling what have become rather empty product pipelines.  The research of our group focuses primarily on identification of new peptide entities from natural sources, especially those contained within Nature's sophisticated peptide libraries - the venoms.  Work on these biomolecules presently focuses on the isolation, structural characterisation and functional evaluation of novel peptides from amphibian, reptile and arthropod venoms.  Many of these possess unique structural and functional features.  Our holistic approach to their study involves application of modern analytical technologies including mass spectrometry, molecular cloning, chemical synthesis, pharmacology and analogue design.  Biodiversity issues dictate our access to natural molecular libraries from around the world and we have been highly proactive in developing innovative facilitatory mechanisms and strategic international collaborations to this end, particularly with Chinese universities.  Our research theme is the subject of active and expanding postgraduate research programmes.

Further information: Prof. Chris Shaw