Chemical modifications for nucleic acid therapeutics

Nucleic acid therapeutics (NATs) have the potential to treat diseases that cannot be targeted using small molecule drugs or biological agents. Unlike conventional drugs which act on proteins, NATs target the genetic blueprint of a disease and are an exciting new class of precision medicines. We are interested in designing, synthesising and evaluating new chemistries to improve their properties and address current challenges such as poor cell uptake and biodistribution. 

Synthesis of novel nucleoside analogues

We develop new synthetic routes to prepare nucleosides that are designed to improve the properties of DNA and RNA analogues.

Developing catalytic nucleic acids

We are investigating alternative approaches to imbue current and emergent promising artificial nucleic acids with the ability to cleave and modify RNA to silence gene expression. 

Tools for selective nucleic acid labelling

We are interested in developing new tools that can be used to site selectively modify DNA and RNA. We are also interested in developing new approaches to functionalies nucleic acid therapeutics to enhance their properties.