Development of a new approach to targeted chelation therapies

Chelation of transition metal ions has been shown to be of benefit in treating many diseases. Through the sequestering of metal ions biological pathways can be inhibited and protein folding states altered. Metal ions however are required for myriad biological processes and thus traditional chelation therapies can have unwanted side effects. By attaching a chelator to something able to target a specific biological target this would help prevent these side effects. This project will develop a new approach by attaching small molecule metal chelators to targeting peptides to minimise off target effects.