Dr Hannon is making a range of supramolecular transition metal complexes. Some of these couple biological delivery motifs, such as steroid receptors, to DNA binding drugs, such as cis-platin analogues. We have built up considerable expertise in the general area of steroid analysis, particularly steroidal contraceptives. More generally we are developing methods for a variety of different analyses in collaboration with research groups both within the department and externally. Drug lifetime and transport studies in collaboration with the Walsgrave Hospital are in progress.
Chiral chromatography is used increasingly to analyse pharmaceutical products.
However, the basis of the enantiomeric discrimination is still unclear. Molecular modelling in collaboration with Dr P M Rodger is being used to develop a predictive chiral HPLC programme. Chiral Spectroscopy Circular dichroism, the difference in absorption of left and right circularly polarised light, is uniquely sensitive to the asymmetry of a system. Theoretical and computational work is in progress to enhance our ability to use CD in the determination of the structure of bio-macromolecules. Recent publications 1.