Chemistry

Editorial Note and Articles

Abstract

Editor: Alan O'Doherty

Abstract 1:

Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors as Anti-Cancer Therapeutics
Ríona Devereux, Senior Sophister, Medicinal Chemistry

Tyrosine kinases play a crucial role in the cellular processes of proliferation, growth, survival and migration and their overexpression and deregulation, due to mutations, can lead to oncogenesis and metastases. The research into the novel avenue of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has been revolutionary, as they are more specific and less toxic when compared to conventional cancer therapies.

To date, many novel TKIs have been discovered and are increasingly used in the treatment of cancer. This review briefly summarises the design and mechanism of action of some approved TKIs and probes some of the future prospects for these small molecule therapeutics.

Abstract 2:

Lanthanide-based Metal-Organic Frameworks as Luminescence
Justynne Joy Fabian, Senior Sophister, Medicinal Chemistry

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are three-dimensional crystalline materials composed of metal ions linked by organic ligands. Due to their highly porous nature and tunable framework structures, MOFs have been used for numerous applications, ranging from gas storage and separation, catalysis, sensing of metal ions and small molecules, and as photoactive materials. The incorporation of lanthanides as metal nodes within MOF structures has become a popular strategy. Unlike their transition metal analogues, lanthanide metal atoms are much larger, giving rise to higher coordination numbers, resulting in more available metal sites for coordinating ligands and solvents.

In addition to high thermal and water stability, lanthanide-based MOFs (Ln-MOFs) have been used for their attractive photophysical properties. Photoluminescence occurs following excitation of photosensitizing organic ligands. Ligand to metal charge transfer (LMCT) is a process that enhances the luminescence of lanthanide ions within a coordination complex. The organic ligands act as photosensitizers which absorb light and transfer this energy to the lanthanide ion, which emits light at a specific wavelength and intensity. This phenomenon can be used in a variety of applications, including the detection of nitroaromatic compounds, metal ions, small molecules, and solvents.

Abstract 3:

Boronic Acid Based Polymers for Saccharide Sensing
Maeve Ward, Senior Sophister, Medicinal Chemistry

Within biomedical applications the smart design of responsive polymers, specifically designed to interact with their surrounding environment, is resulting in many novel microscale devices. At their most fundamental, these have encompassed materials which convert biological changes into a modulation of optical, electrical, or mechanical signals. In this regard,
Boronic acid (BA) derivatives are becoming an ever more popular topic of research in the biomaterials field owing to their ability to reversibly bind biologically relevant diols.

This review will detail the design of stimuli-responsive BA polymers capable of detecting saccharides in biological media such as ocular fluid and blood. Such sensors are of
biomedical interest due to their potential as novel glucose sensors for the treatment of diabetes.