New methods for the determination of selenium and copper in clinical samples are also under development to support the study of selenium and copper metabolism. Advances in analytical archaeometry are being used to study the degradation processes which affect plastics, glass, limestone and metallic artifacts in museum collections. The second area relates to developments in DNA, which are being applied to the characterisation of soils and Cannabis sativa. It also concerns applications of the polymerase chain reaction associated with capillary zone electrophoresis. International collaborative studies of new pteridines as potent inhibitors of important enzymes also have fundamental applications to cancer therapy.
Organometallic chemistry has both an historical and a current importance in our research.
Complexes based on several transition metals are being investigated and applied in new ways to develop stereocontrolled syntheses of important organic molecules, including antibiotics and anti-malarial agents. Physical organic chemistry is well represented through studies of reactive intermediates by low-temperature matrix isolation and by new studies of chemistry in ionic liquids. Polymer chemistry plays a major role in organic chemistry research and lends itself to natural collaborations both within and outside the Department. The organic chemistry of polymers emphasises the synthesis of tailored polymers with specific chemical or physical properties. Applications include polymer catalysis, selective polymeric sorbents and proton-conducting polymers, all of which have strong commercial and technological relevance.