2nd Year PhD student Dan Phillips has won the prize for best poster at the recent RSC Nanoscience Symposium, held at the University of Birmingham. Congratulations.

Collaboration with Marc Gauthier @ ETH Zurich has been published in leading journal, Advanced Functional Materials. This study involved the use of > 100 polymer-protein conjugates to determine the impact of the surface-grafted polymer on the activity of the enzyme alpha-chemotrypsin as a function of polymer structure. Using a novel combination of NMR and enzymatic activity probes, it was possible to demonstrate a 'molecular sieving' effect on the surface of the protein. Interestingly, the denisty of the polymers on the surface of the protein was also show to have a strong effect on the phase (LCST) behaviour of the conjugate.

Read the paper here

Collaborative work with Marc Gauthier (ETH Zurich) has been accepted for publication in Advanced Functional Materials.

The paper is entitled Molecular sieving on the surface of a protein provides protection without loss of activity.

More details to follow

Daniel Mitchell has joined the group as a PhD student. He will be working on advanced cryopreservatives based on antifreeze glycoproteins. Welcome!

Our paper describing the post-polymerization modificaiton of poly(azlactones) has been acceptd for publication in RSC Polymer Chemistry. In this work we show that poly(azlactones) can be modified by further, latent functionality, for subsequent 'click' type reactions. This route is more effecient and expedient than the synthesis and polymerization of protected alkynyl, alkenyl or furan monomers. We further explore the chemistry for the preparation of glycopolymers which are shown to be inhibitors of a bacterial toxin.

Read the paper here

Welcome to Rebecca Williams and Lewis Mann who are joining us to conduct their MChem research project. They will be working on stimuli responsive materials and glycoconjugates

Welcome to Lucienne, who joins us as a PhD student from October. She will be working on probing the role of glycan adhesion on microbiol pathogenicity

From 1st October, Dr Matthew Gibson has been promoted to Assistant Professor.