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Research

NMR Metabolomics
Metabolomics investigations aim to determine biological and diagnostic information from changes in metabolite profiles of biofluids or materials from patient groups. As metabolic profiles are influenced by environment and genetic factors they are an attractive target for biomarker discovery particularly in diseases where lifestyle and environment have a large contribution to disease prevalence, progression alongside genetic predispositions. However, metabolomics investigations are also extremely sensitive to study design and as such this relatively new technique has yet to fully realise its potential. I am acitively involved in development of best practise in the field and support clinical, cellular and microorganism studies.

Public EBI MetaboLights Datasets:
MTBLS4766, MTBLS4591, MTBLS4854, MTBLS2967, MTBLS2040 MTBLS1990, MTBLS1495, MTBLS1435, MTBLS1357, MTBLS658, MTBLS564, MTBLS563, MTBLS543, MTBLS541, MTBLS455.


Protein NMR
NMR is an atmomic-resolution tool for biophysical studies of proteins and their interactions. I have iinvestigated protein structure and interactions with small molecules, nucleic acids, proteins, or lipid membranes. I have used NMR in combination with molecular dynamics structural modelling in order to determine the structure and interactions between a protein and RNA fragments, mouse urinary proteins and small molecules as well as membrane-tethered multi-domain proteins and their protein binding partners.

Public PDB Protein structures: 2WCY, 2L9C, 2LB6, 4AR0, 4AZQ

Public BMRB Protein assignments: 16444, 16840, 17445, 17446, 17447, 18419, 18428, 18459


Chemistry and Biotechnology
NMR is a core component of de novo small molcule assignment and dynamics. I have categorised the interactions of three components of a stereospecific catalytic assembly by NMR and implemented methodologies for development of drug design for specific protein domains by a combination of NMR and computational docking approaches.

NMR Metabolomics

NMR metabolomics expertise: I support research from 60 different projects spanning the faculty of Health and Life Sciences (IIB, ITM, IGH and IACD) as well as 5 regional partners ( Liverpool School of Tropical medicine, Keele University, University of Leicester, Liverpool John Moores University and Lancaster University) along with 12 regional clinics (Aintree/Fazakerly Hospital, Barrow In Furness Hospital, Blackpool Hospital, Broadgreen Heart & Chest, Liverpool Equine Hospital, Liverpool Pancreas BRU, Liverpool Royal, Liverpool Women's Hospital, Marie Curie Palliative Care Institute Liverpool, Liverpool Small Animal Hospital, the Walton Centre and the Liverpool Clinical Trials Unit). The spectrometer and facility as a whole has also attracted partners from industry (CRODA) as well as 3 international research projects from the University of Edinburgh, Utrecht University and Ngee Ann Polytechnic in Singapore.

I also design and deliver multiple training and best practice events throughout the year in the field of metabolomics:events

Biological NMR Spectroscopy & Protein Chemistry

Protein structural biology expertise: NMR, Metabolomics, Protein structure, nucleic acid structure, molecular structure, protein-protein interactions, binding affinity, ITC, drug-protein interaction, homology modelling, protein dynamics, micelle-protein interaction, membrane protein, chemical atomic structure.

NMR teaching & outreach

Analytical Chemistry A-level visits and outreach.

NMR for medicinal sciences.

NMR software development and online tutorials:LiverpoolNMR YouTube

Research grants

Maestro Pro multiwell microelectrode array for the University of Liverpool electrophysiology suite: Cell physiology meets high throughput.

BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL

July 2023 - June 2024

Acceptable and efficient early screening tests for endometrial cancer (AESTEC) Study

NORTH WEST CANCER RESEARCH INCORPORATING CLATTERBRIDGE CANCER RESEARCH (UK)

November 2021 - November 2022

ExPedite study: Developing Metabolomics profile analysis in Bio fluids to Detect an Ectopic Pregnancy in symptomatic women in early pregnancy

WELLBEING OF WOMEN (UK)

November 2018 - May 2023

    Research collaborations

    Professor Jane Hurst - Mammalian Behaviour & Evolution Group, Leahurst Campus

    Structure determination and molecular insight into function of Major urinary protein

    Professor Robert Beynon - Protein Function Group, Crown Street, Liverpool L69 7ZJ, UK

    Structure determination and molecular insight into function of Major urinary proteins

    Neil Kitteringham

    NMR metabolomics