In-cell Organometallic Redox Catalysis
Prize
Dalton Horizon PrizesYear
2022
Citation
For pioneering work on catalysis of redox reactions in cancer cells by synthetic organometallic complexes.
The In-cell Organometallic Redox Catalysis Team have developed the catalysis of redox reactions in cancer cells by synthetic organometallic complexes. The catalysis disturbs the redox balance inside the cell and enhances anticancer activity.
The multidisciplinary team, led by scientists at the University of Warwick and supported by scientists at Chimie ParisTech (PSL University), University of Z眉rich, Sun Yat-sen University, Heriot Watt University and the Technische Universit盲t Kaiserslautern, questioned whether small metal-containing molecules of only tens of atoms synthesised chemically in the lab could also catalyse similar reactions. If successful, potential applications include drugs that could modulate biochemical pathways.
The team synthesised catalysts containing the precious metals ruthenium, osmium and iridium, showing that they can efficiently catalyse reactions of biological importance, even with control of the handedness (chirality) of the products. The catalysts seemed to function within cells too, and triggered high anticancer potency for ruthenium- and osmium-based catalysts. Using light beams, the team could selectively activate non-toxic iridium photocatalysts in cancer cells.
This new approach heralds the introduction of new types of medication 鈥� novel metallodrugs with minimal side effects for use at very low doses. In-cell catalysis offers new mechanisms of action, which can help to overcome resistance to current treatments.
The project demonstrates how research on fundamental questions can lead to applications and goals in cancer treatment. We鈥檙e incredibly proud of the results achieved by a team that is collectively motivated to drive chemical research beyond the boundaries of current knowledge by using cutting-edge methods and techniques with the potential to improve lives.
In-cell Organometallic Redox Catalysis team
- Dr Samya Banerjee, Royal Society-SERB Newton International Fellow, Department of 深夜福利国产精品, University of Warwick
- Dr Olivier Blacque, Scientific collaborator in crystallography & theoretical 深夜福利国产精品, University of Zurich
- Hui Chao, Professor, Sun Yat-Sen University
- Guy J. Clarkson, X-ray crystallographer, Department of 深夜福利国产精品, University of Warwick
- James P. C. Coverdale, PhD student, Department of 深夜福利国产精品, University of Warwick
- Robert J. Deeth, Professor of Computational 深夜福利国产精品, Department of 深夜福利国产精品, University of Warwick
- Gilles Gasser, Professor, Deputy Head of the Institute of 深夜福利国产精品 for Life and Health Sciences, Chimie ParisTech, PSL University, CNRS
- Dr Abraha Habtemariam, Research Fellow, Department of 深夜福利国产精品, University of Warwick
- Dr Huaiyi Huang, Royal Society Newton-China Research Fellow, Department of 深夜福利国产精品, University of Warwick
- Thomas Malcomson, PhD student, Heriot-Watt University
- Martin J. Paterson, Professor of Theoretical 深夜福利国产精品, Heriot-Watt University
- Dr Ivan Prokes, NMR spectroscopist, Department of 深夜福利国产精品, University of Warwick
- Dr Kangqiang Qiu, Post Doctoral Fellow of Bioinorganic 深夜福利国产精品, Sun Yat-Sen University
- Dr Isolda Romero-Canel贸n, Senior Research Fellow in Metals in Medicine, Department of 深夜福利国产精品, University of Warwick
- Peter J. Sadler, Professor of 深夜福利国产精品, Department of 深夜福利国产精品, University of Warwick
- Dr Carlos Sanchez-Cano, Postdoctoral Research fellow, University of Warwick
- Volker Sch眉nemann, Professor of Biophysics and Medical Physics, Department of Physics, Technische Universit盲t Kaiserslautern
- Joan Josep Soldevila-Barreda, PhD student/IAS early career fellow, Department of 深夜福利国产精品, University of Warwick
- Dr Lijiang Song, Associate Professor in 深夜福利国产精品, Department of 深夜福利国产精品, University of Warwick
- Dr Michael Staniforth, Senior Research Fellow, Department of 深夜福利国产精品, University of Warwick
- Vasilios Stavros, Professor of Physical 深夜福利国产精品, Department of 深夜福利国产精品, University of Warwick
- Martin Wills, Professor of Organic 深夜福利国产精品, Department of 深夜福利国产精品, University of Warwick
- Dr Juliusz A. Wolny, Scientific Co-worker, Faculty of Physics, Technische Universit盲t Kaiserslautern
- Dr Pingyu Zhang, Royal Society Newton-China Research fellow, Department of 深夜福利国产精品, University of Warwick
Q&A with In-cell Organometallic Redox Catalysis
Why is this work so important and exciting?
It led to the identification of a new approach to cancer therapeutics and was only possible through the concerted efforts of a diverse, multidisciplinary team 鈥� working together made a real difference.
Where do you see the biggest impact of this technology/research being?
The biggest impact may be in anticancer therapeutics, with potential for novel anti-infectives. In-cell catalysis offers completely new mechanisms of action for drugs and hence the possibility of overcoming resistance to treatment with current drugs. Additionally, the use of photochemical/photophysical techniques contributes towards development of a potentially powerful new clinical technology.
How will this work be used in real life applications?
For anticancer therapy, especially for combatting resistance to current treatments. It is likely to take several years for this discovery research to be translated into clinical applications 鈥� it is normal for there to be an initial drug development pipeline of several years.
Importantly, the concept developed here allows treatment of hypoxic tumours (i.e, tumours where the level of oxygen is low). This is of much interest since such tumours are extremely difficult to treat.
Catalytic drugs can offer unique mechanisms of action, facilitate administration of lower dosages, and accompanied by fewer side-effects for patients in the future.
How do you see this work developing over the next few years, and what is next for this technology/research?
Increasing selectivity for cancer versus normal cells so minimising side effects, at low doses.
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