Core Capability for Chemistry Research at the University of Warwick

The main objective of this proposal is to enhance the research capabilities of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Warwick, through the acquisition of new equipment. We will add enhanced capabilities in matrix assisted laser desorption ionisation (MALDI) mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. These will have major beneficial impacts on >60% of staff and researchers in the Department through significant increases in both capacity (i.e. more samples can be run) and capability (i.e. better data through improved resolution).

This equipment will enhance a wide range of research activities in EPSRC priority areas as detailed below:

(i) Chemical Biology, where the proposed instruments will facilitate many programmes including genomics-driven natural product discovery and various medicinal chemistry programmes including the development of metal based pro-drugs. It will also underpin interests in Synthetic Biology.

(ii) Synthesis and Catalysis - work in this EPSRC priority area includes work on transition metal catalysis, organocatalysis and biocatalysis. A variety of other synthetic chemistry programmes will be enhanced including those relevant to the EPSRC grand challenge, Dial-a-Molecule.

(iii) Polymer Chemistry - many varied programmes will benefit including those focused on protein conjugation to polymers, glycopolymers, biomaterials, drug delivery and nanoreactors.

(iv) Analytical Science - The increased sensitivity will enhance many projects including biophysical investigations of metalloproteins and membrane proteins.

Importantly, the new capabilities will also help us further strengthen our engagement and collaboration with industry and relevant business sectors.

It is anticipated that the new capabilities enabled through this award will lead to many new collaborations during and downstream of the project. A wide range of individuals and projects will benefit from these new facilities and their impact will be gauged through well-established methods. Economic impacts in the following EPSRC Challenge Themes are likely; Healthcare Technologies (discovering new therapies, understanding mechanisms of disease, repurposing existing drugs, drug delivery and nanomedicine), Manufacturing the Future (supporting chemicals industries, sustainable processes, utilising waste and plant sources), Global Uncertainties (enhancing crop production, understanding plant stress, developing benign treatments) and Energy (finding renewable energy sources and developing low energy chemical processes).

The Department has an excellent publication record in high impact, internationally peer-reviewed journals and academic staff and researchers regularly give invited lectures, which will ensure further dissemination of new experimental methods developed using these state-of-the-art facilities. These publications will predominantly impact specialists in academia and industry.

The department has strong industry links and these links and collaborations will benefit from these new facilities which, in turn, will foster further research investment from these partners. The project will produce highly trained specialists with unique expertise that will make them highly employable. Such individuals should help the UK retain its leading position as a knowledge based economy, with strong chemical, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.

Warwick Chemistry has established an innovative and extensive programme for the engagement of children in science. This is led by Mr. Nick Barker (supported as an Outreach Fellow by the Department of Chemistry since 2007). Members of the department, including the experimental officers in NMR and mass spectrometry, will work closely with Nick Barker to develop and deliver a series of outreach events specifically highlighting the importance and value of these techniques in science of relevance to everyday life (medicines, polymers, etc).