Event
“Approaches to the design, synthesis and application of DNA-encoded libraries”
CeTPD External Seminar In-Person Only by Professor Mike Waring, University of Newcastle
Wednesday 10 September 2025
University of Dundee
Dow Street
Dundee DD1 5HL
Host : Professor Alessio Ciulli
Venue: MSI Small Lecture Theatre, SLS
Abstract
DNA-encoded libraries are becoming widely established as a hit-finding methodology. They allow screening of large numbers of compounds by affinity selection. Currently their use is limited by the range of chemistries that are available for their synthesis. The talk will describe our approach to improve the synthetic methods for their construction, in particular with the use of micellar catalysis to promote aqueous chemistry and protect DNA. It will also cover novel applications of the technology in fragment expansion.
Bio:
Currently: Chair of Medicinal Chemistry at Newcastle University, Head of Chemistry for the Cancer Research UK Newcastle Drug Discovery Unit, Director of Academic Medicinal Chemistry for Cancer Research Horizons, Editor-in-Chief RSC Medicinal Chemistry.
Previously: worked at AstraZeneca (2001-2015) as Principal Scientist. Worked mainly in the areas of diabetes and oncology and his work has led to the discovery of 14 drug candidates, including the marketed EGFR inhibitor osimertinib (Tagrisso™).
Research interests: property-based optimisation, covalent inhibition, new methods of hit generation inc fragments and DNA-encoded libraries.