Professor Mike Hannon

Supervisor Details

Contact Details

School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham

Scientific Background

Research Interests

Mike's research lies at the interface between chemistry and the life sciences and is focused on metal complexes in biology and medicine as both imaging agents and therapeutics. He has expertise in synthetic chemistry (organic, supramolecular, nanoscale) and in applying biophysical methods to recognition of different DNA structures. In particular his work on the non-covalent recognition of DNA Y-shaped junctions has transformed the field of study and prompted a sudden and growing international activity in exploring the use of metallo-supramolecular structures in DNA recognition and as anti-cancer drugs.

Scientific Inspiration

Professor Jean-Marie Lehn (Nobel laureate) from Strasbourg because he combines vision and foresight with excellence science.

Research Groups

Institute of Advanced Studies (IAS)

Supervision Style

In three words or phrases: Collaborative; close-contact and guidance; career-development.

Provision of Training

I will work with you to define your training plan at each stage of your project, and identify the key techniques you need to become skilled in with support from experienced researchers in my team or our collaborating teams to gain those hands-on technical skills. As you progress I expect you to become confident to suggest new methods and approaches and to network effectively with other research groups across different disciplines to achieve your project goals.

Progression Monitoring and Management

I will expect to see your results on a weekly basis, and will hold formalised monthly project review meetings. But I like to be kept up to date, with day-to-day updates when you have exciting results or need help troubleshooting.

Communication

In my group we use a combination of verbal face-to-face or zoom discussions (individual and group) and on-line group chat discussions to discuss and share results and ideas.

PhD Students can expect scheduled meetings with me:

In a group meeting

At least once per week

In year 1 of PhD study

At least once per month

In year 2 of PhD study

At least once per month

In year 3 of PhD study

At least once per month

These meetings will be a mixture of face to face, video chat or telephone and I am usually contactable for an instant response (if required) on every working day.

Working Pattern

The timing of work in my lab is completely flexible, and (other than attending pre-arranged meetings), I expect students to manage their own time.

Notice Period for Feedback

I need at least 2 week’s notice to provide feedback on written work of up to 5000 words.

MIBTP Project Details

Current Projects (2025-26)

Primary supervisor for:

Changing the Dynamics and Structures of key viral RNA structures using nano-size supramolecular drugs

See the PhD Opportunities section to see if this project is currently open for applications via MIBTP.

Please Note: The main page lists projects via BBSRC Research Theme(s) quoted and then relevant Topic(s).

Changing the Dynamics and Structures of key viral RNA structures using nano-size supramolecular drugs

Secondary Supervisor(s): Professor Teresa Carlomagna

University of Registration: University of Birmingham

BBSRC Research Themes: Understanding the Rules of Life (Microbiology, Structural Biology)

Project Outline

RNA structure targeting is a new frontier for molecular design. It offers unique opportunities to gain new understanding of the function of RNAs. In particular, the functional RNA structures in structurally-conserved untranslated regions (UTRs) of many viruses are intriguing targets. These UTRs often share common structural elements that are functionally essential and so conserved as the virus evolves (drifts) genetically. Structure-affecting mutations inactivate the virus. In RNA viruses, such as HIVs, coronaviruses, dengue and zika, functional involvement of the UTR has been shown in either initiation of replication (for example by recruiting proteins or by direct interaction with the ribosome) or regulation of the replication cycle.

We have shown that nanoscale metallo-supramolecular cylinders are unique nano-drugs that can bind within DNA and RNA cavities, with different cylinders targeting 3-way junctions, 4-way junctions or various bulges. These cylinders can bind bulge structures in the RNA of both HIV and SARS-CoV-2 viral genome and prevent their replication in cells [1-4].

In this project we will use our world-leading expertise in high-field NMR determinations of RNA structures [5] to get unique insight into the binding events, their structural effects and the effects on the dynamic behaviour of the RNA. We will combine the NMR experimental data with molecular dynamics simulations. The work will be guided by experimental gel studies, competition assays and RNA SHAPE assessment of binding on viral UTRs, to confirm structure preference, which will then interrogated in detail. Chemical synthesis and design will be used to prepare the new binding agents, which will be fully characterised using a range of analytical techniques.

The approach and understanding developed will represent a new roadmap for design of drugs to target RNA structural motifs across biology and nucleic acid nanoscience, that can allow us to probe the role of such structures in viral infection.

References

[1] Supramolecular cylinders target bulge structures in the 5’ UTR of the RNA genome of SARS-CoV-2 and inhibit viral replication. L. Melidis, H.J. Hill, N.J. Coltman, S.P. Davies, K. Winczura, T. Chauhan, J.S. Craig, A. Garai, C.A.J. Hooper, R.T. Egan, J.A. McKeating, N.J. Hodges, Z. Stamataki, P. Grzechnik, M.J. Hannon, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2021, 60, 18144-51. doi: 10.1002/anie.202104179 BioRXive doi: 10.1101/2021.03.30.437757

[2] Targeting structural features of viral genomes with a nano-sized supramolecular drug. L. Melidis, I.B. Styles, M.J. Hannon, Chem. Sci., 2021, 12, 7174-84. doi: 10.1039/D1SC00933H

[3] Metallo supramolecular cylinders inhibit HIV-1 TAR-TAT complex formation and viral replication in cellulo. L. Cardo, I. Nawroth, P.J. Cail, J.A. McKeating, M. J. Hannon, Scientific Reports, 2018, 8, Article number 13342. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-31513-3.

[4]Organometallic Pillarplexes that bind DNA 4-way Holliday Junctions and forks. J.S. Craig, L. Melidis, H.D. Williams, S.J. Dettmer, A.A. Heidecker, P.J. Altmann, S.Guan, C. Campbell, D.F. Browning, R.K.O. Sigel, S. Johannsen, R.T. Egan, B. Aikman, A. Casini, A. Pöthig, M.J. Hannon, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2023, 145, 13570. DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.04.522759.

[5]Solid-state NMR Spectroscopy of RNA. A Marchanka & T Carlomagno, Methods in Enzymology, 2019, 615, 333–371.