Research Mechanism-guided chemistry for defined biological problems

Our central design philosophy treats coordination chemistry as a platform for programming biological function rather than merely delivering a cytotoxic metal ion. The metal centre is selected for its preferred reactivity, geometry, redox behaviour or biomolecular interactions, while the ligand is chosen to contribute targeting, pharmacological activity, sensing or controlled release.

The programme encompasses Ru(II), Pt(II/IV), Ir(III) and related scaffolds designed to engage DNA, proteins, cellular redox systems and disease-specific pathways. Particular attention is given to molecular stability, hydrolysis, intracellular transformation, ligand release and resistance to biological deactivation.

We develop photoactive metal complexes and molecular platforms that translate excited-state reactivity into selective biological action. A major emphasis is placed on Type-I photochemistry and excited-state proton-coupled electron transfer (ES-PCET), which provide access to radical pathways that can remain effective under oxygen-limited tumour conditions.

The programme combines electronic-structure-guided molecular design with photophysical characterization, transient reactivity, redox chemistry and mechanism-oriented cellular evaluation. Light activation is further integrated with tumour targeting, fluorescence generation, therapeutic gas release and nanoscale delivery.

We select ligands and molecular motifs that engage disease-relevant proteins or cellular dependencies, and integrate them into metal complexes, conjugates or responsive delivery systems. The ligand is not treated as an inert chelator; it is designed as a pharmacologically active component of the overall molecular architecture.

Targets and vulnerabilities explored by the group include VEGFR2, Hck and related signalling proteins, ALDH-associated cancer stemness, IDO-related immunometabolism, tumour hypoxia, nutrient uptake pathways and metabolic dependencies in pancreatic, oral, breast, liver and other cancers.

Biological experiments are used to test chemical hypotheses. We investigate whether the designed molecule reaches its intended target, undergoes the proposed transformation and engages the predicted pathway before producing downstream cellular effects.

Mechanistic studies include target binding and enzyme inhibition, signalling analysis, DNA and protein interactions, redox and radical chemistry, cell-cycle and replication responses, apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, cancer stemness, immunogenic cell death and proteome-wide pathway analysis.