Dr James Bruce

Lecturer in Organic Chemistry

Profile
Lecturer in Chemistry
Director of Research

Qualifications
BSc ( Hons) in Chemistry ( University of Queensland)
DPhil (Oxon)
MRSC CChem CSci

Teaching Interests

I currently teach undergraduate courses in organic chemistry within the Molecular Science Award and am a member of the S344 course team
I have been course team chair of S344 Organic Chemistry: A synthesis approach and have been a member of the S205 : Molecular World and S103 Discovering Science course teams.

My other teaching interests lie in the area of postrgraduate study and I am chair ofSTM895 - Postgraduate research skills in science, technology, maths and computing. This is webased course that uses the VLE e-portflio to allow researchers to plan and record their skills training

Research Interests
My research interests are broadly based around supramolecular photochemistry and the coordination chemsistry of the lanthanide metals with applications in chemical sening and medicinal chemistry. This research combines my  interests in non-covalent interactions and photochemistry.  The aim is to understand how these interactions can be used in the design and synthesis of novel molecular assemblies.  The common theme running through the research is the use of light or light-induced processes to impart functions into these assemblies.  Spectroscopic techniques are used to study the processes occurring within these systems upon excitation with light energy.  The multidisciplinary aspect of the research is reflected in the projects, which range from those with biological applications to those with a more technological aim

 

Luminescent sensors and probes  These systems use combinations of noncovalent interactions, such as hydrogen bonding, to bind target substrates and luminescence as thereporting signal.  By monitoring changes in the intensity, lifetime or form of the luminescence upon substrate binding, the binding affinities may be determined.  Of particular interest are systems with long-lived emission or able toundergo resonance energy transfer.  These features are ideal for sensors designed to investigate and understand the structure and function of biological systems such as oligonucleotides and cell wall receptors.  such sensors have medical applications offering refined sensitivity in the early detection and diagnosis of disease at the molecular level particularly when targeted at biomolecules with key roles in physiological processes

 

Photoactive molecular devices  There are many examples of functional molecular devices held together by non-covalent interactions occurring in nature.  Much of this research uses a biomimitic approach to duplicate natural processes, such as photosynthesis, using artificial arrays.  They have promise in the future as lean renewable energy sources if they can reproduce photosynthesis efficiently.  Non-covalent synthetic methods such as anion coordination bonding menas that a range of systems may be generated rapidly and the photophysical properties studies and fine-tuned.  The input andoutput signals of the device can then be regulated and such devices have potential as functional materials for use optoelectronic devices

 

Medical imaging and therapy  Current interest is focused on paramagnetic complexes as contrast agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and luminescent complexes as labels for fluorescent microscopy and photodynamic therapy (PDT).  A primary objective of this research is to improve the specificity and selectivity of the complexes by targeting particular binding sites on cell walls or physiologically relevant molecules.  The aim is produce agents with the dual role of detecting and killing tumour cells.  The types of complex under investigation can act as photosensitizers or as radiation sensitizers as part of the cytotoxic process

Previous work in this area has lead to a series of near infra red emitting receptors where interaction with DNA could switch on the NIR emission from a lanthanide complex. Such a signal is readily observed against a complex potentially interferring background. Collaboration with Dr S.Missialidis has produce a  chelate- functionalised aptamer capable of delivering a diagnostic or therapeutic agent to tumour cells.

Currently this interest is being applied to problems in the areas of medicinal chemistry and my research group is developing new MRI contrast agents based on gadolinium that display high relaxivities while being capble of being targeted or delivered to specific tumours. This is also being extended in a related project looking at PDT and a means of delivering photosensitizing agents with high specifcity into cancer cells.

Current Research
Synthesis and Characterization of Bifunctional MRI Contrast Agents - PhD project P.J. O'Connell ( in collaboration with Dr Michael Mortimer)
High Intensity Contrast Agents in Medical Imaging - PhD project D. Smith ( in collaboration with Prof Peter Taylor)
Selective Detection and Destruction of Cancer Cells - PhD project S. Kimani ( in collaboration with Dr Jon Golding and Dr James Phillips)