Prof. Mark Searcey

Group Leader / Pro Vice Chancellor for Science, Chair in medicinal chemistry

Research is focussed on the design, synthesis and evaluation of new compounds that have activity in cancer. The group are particularly interested in natural products, peptides and synthetic small molecules that target DNA or protein-protein interactions. With regard to DNA , we are also interested in higher order structures (4 way junctions, G-quadruplexes) as potential targets in cancer.
More recently, we have developed an interest in how to target highly active agents to the cancer. Using a combination of solution and solid phase chemistry, we have developed peptide-directed conjugates, antibody-directed conjugates and nanoparticle based systems. This allows the anticancer agent to only function in the cancer cell and to avoid potential side effects from off-target effects.