The research group focuses on the design, synthesis and investigation of the properties of functional molecules. It spans a number of areas including (i) the synthesis and investigation of small molecule mimics of Nature’s molecular receptors and enzymes (supramolecular chemistry); (ii) the development of new synthetic methods and (iii) application of these methods to the synthesis of both natural products and novel functional molecules. Specific projects are outlined below.
Anions play many roles in areas as diverse as biology, medicine, catalysis and the environment, so artificial anion receptors have numerous applications across all of these areas. However, the development of anion receptors that operate with high selectivity and affinity under physiological and environmental conditions is a significant challenge. We are exploring the design and synthesis of a variety of receptors targeted to bind selectively to oxoanions, including phosphates, carboxylates and sulfate with the ultimate goal of producing receptors that can be applied to selectively detect or separate anionic species in the environment or in biological systems. Depending on both the anion target and desired application, our receptors are designed to bind anions using hydrogen bonding, electrostatic and/or metal -ligand interactions. We focus on systems for applications in water, at aqueous interfaces and in more complex environments (e.g. physiological fluids) and use a variety of methods to turn effective anion receptors into useful sensors or transporters.
Living cells synthesise and metabolise over 1000 different lipids, which assemble to form bilayer membranes with lipid compositions that differ across cell types, sub-cellular compartments and even within a single membrane itself. However, the relevance of this vast structural diversity and the function of each different lipid is not yet understood. In order to better understand this biological phenomenon, we are developing fluorescent probes that selectively detect and differentiate phospholipid headgroups. These probes have applications in biomedicine and biology, e.g. detection of phosphatidylserine on mammalian cell surfaces provides a means to follow cell death processes.
Post-translational modifications (PTMs) such as phosphorylation, sulfation or methylation are crucial for the regulation of protein function. The identification of these PTMs provides a key method for determining how small modifications alter protein function. However, some modifications are difficult to detect because they are only present in very low quantities or may be lost using current protein purification methods. We are developing selective receptors for protein PTMs that can either be used in sensing applications or and/or attached to a solid support to create affinity resins for use in protein enrichment applications.
For information about opportunities to work or collaborate with the Jolliffe Group, contact Professor Kate Jolliffe.
The group has several Honours projects available every year.
There are currently PhD positions available in the group for students who can obtain their own scholarship funding.
Positions will be advertised when funding is available; however, please contact Professor Kate Jolliffe if you intend to apply for your own funding.
