Anthony Curtis

Covid-19 information and FAQs for applicants, students and staff >

Biography

I began my career at Keele University in 1993 in the Department of Chemistry, now part of the School of Chemical and Physical Sciences. I then joined the Department of Medicines Management in 2005 as Director of Studies (Pharmaceutical Science) and played a major role, alongside others, in the development of the School of Pharmacy and Keele MPharm programme. My academic position is currently Senior Lecturer in Organic and Medicinal Chemistry and I hold administrative roles within the School and the University. I was awarded the Keele University Excellence in Learning and Teaching award in 2008 and I was awarded the Institute of Science and Technology in Medicine Research Fellowship for 2015-2016. I am External Examiner for the MPharm programme at Robert Gordon University and I have examined students for higher degrees within Organic and Medicinal Chemistry. My research is directed towards synthetic chemistry, drug discovery and delivery, and formulation science on the nanoscale. I am a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and a Chartered Chemist (FRSC CChem) and a member of a number of other learned societies, including the American Chemical Society, the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the United Kingdom and Ireland Controlled Release Society.

Research and scholarship

Research theme: Therapeutics

My research interests lie at the interface between the physical and life sciences, with a focus on the synthesis of molecules with biological or medicinal significance. This includes the design and synthesis of novel chemotherapeutic agents and prodrugs, and of solubilising agents for drug delivery and formulation science.

My current research is in the area of nanopharmaceutics, the application of nanotechnology to the formulation of medicines into very small dosage forms suitable for administration by various routes as required. Often drug molecules have undesirable properties: For example, drugs may not be very soluble in water or they may not be absorbed well by the body which hinders their usage. These drugs require careful formulation in order for them to be administered to patients effectively and display their therapeutic effect. Traditional formulation strategies are not sufficient, especially since a significant number of all new drugs under development are classed as practically insoluble in water. We use calix[n]arenes and calix[4]resorcinarenes to make novel, supramolecular delivery systems for such hydrophobic drugs.

I also collaborate with Dr Alan Richardson and Dr Jóhannes Reynisson, both from the School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering at Keele, on the synthesis of novel and adjunct therapies for the treatment of ovarian cancer, and with Dr Clare Hoskins of the University of Strathclyde on topics within nanopharmaceutics and nanomedicine.

Selected Publications

Al Ameri J, Alsuraifi A, Curtis A, Hoskins C. 2020. Effect of Poly(allylamine) Molecular Weight on Drug Loading and Release Abilities of Nano-Aggregates for Potential in Cancer Nanomedicine. J Pharm Sci, vol. 109(10), 3125-3133. link> doi>
Foulkes R, Asgari MA, Curtis A, Hoskins C. 2019. Silver-Nanoparticle-Mediated Therapies in the Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer. ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS, vol. 2(4), 1758-1772. link> doi> full text>
Osuagwu F and Curtis A. 2019. Novel Calix[4]Resorcinarene Nanocarriers for enhanced Drug Solubilisation: Synthesis of Octaamino-Substituted Resorcinarenes. JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY (vol. 71, pp. 10-11). link>
Chandarana M, Curtis A, Hoskins C. 2018. The use of nanotechnology in cardiovascular disease. APPLIED NANOSCIENCE, vol. 8(7), 1607-1619. link> doi> full text>
Alsuraifi A, Lin PKT, Curtis A, Lamprou DA, Hoskins C. 2018. A Novel PAA Derivative with Enhanced Drug Efficacy in Pancreatic Cancer Cell Lines. Pharmaceuticals (Basel), vol. 11(4). link> doi> full text>

Full Publications List show

Books

Curtis ADM and JENNINGS N. KATRITZKY AR, RAMSDEN CA, SCRIVEN EFV, TAYLOR RJK (Eds.). 2008. 1,2,4-Triazoles. (vol. 5). Oxford: Elsevier Ltd.
Curtis ADM. BELLUS D, LEY SV, NOYORI R, REGITZ M, REIDER PJ, SCHAUMANN E, SHINKAI I, THOMAS EJ, TROST BM (Eds.). 2003. 1,2,4-Triazoles. (vol. 13). Stuttgart: Georg Thieme Verlag.
Curtis ADM. REHM HJ, REED G, PUHLER A, STADLER P (Eds.). 2000. The Use of Enzymes in C-C Bond Formation. (vol. 8b). Stuttgart: VCH.
Curtis ADM. Katritzky AR, Rees CW, SCRIVEN EFV (Eds.). 1996. Bicyclic 5-5 Systems: Four Heteroatoms 1:3. (vol. 7). Oxford: Elsevier Science Ltd.
Curtis ADM. Katritzky AR, REES CW, SCRIVEN EFV (Eds.). 1996. Bicyclic 6-6 Systems: Four Heteroatoms 1:3. (vol. 7). Oxford: Elsevier Science Ltd.

Journal Articles

Al Ameri J, Alsuraifi A, Curtis A, Hoskins C. 2020. Effect of Poly(allylamine) Molecular Weight on Drug Loading and Release Abilities of Nano-Aggregates for Potential in Cancer Nanomedicine. J Pharm Sci, vol. 109(10), 3125-3133. link> doi>
Foulkes R, Asgari MA, Curtis A, Hoskins C. 2019. Silver-Nanoparticle-Mediated Therapies in the Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer. ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS, vol. 2(4), 1758-1772. link> doi> full text>
Chandarana M, Curtis A, Hoskins C. 2018. The use of nanotechnology in cardiovascular disease. APPLIED NANOSCIENCE, vol. 8(7), 1607-1619. link> doi> full text>
Alsuraifi A, Lin PKT, Curtis A, Lamprou DA, Hoskins C. 2018. A Novel PAA Derivative with Enhanced Drug Efficacy in Pancreatic Cancer Cell Lines. Pharmaceuticals (Basel), vol. 11(4). link> doi> full text>
Alsuraifi A, Curtis A, Lamprou DA, Hoskins C. 2018. Stimuli Responsive Polymeric Systems for Cancer Therapy. Pharmaceutics, vol. 10(3). link> doi> full text>
Al-Shakarchi W, Alsuraifi A, Curtis A, Hoskins C. 2018. Dual Acting Polymeric Nano-Aggregates for Liver Cancer Therapy. Pharmaceutics, vol. 10(2). link> doi> full text>
Al-Shakarchi W, Alsuraifi A, Abed M, Abdullah M, Richardson A, Curtis A, Hoskins C. 2018. Combined Effect of Anticancer Agents and Cytochrome C Decorated Hybrid Nanoparticles for Liver Cancer Therapy. Pharmaceutics, vol. 10(2). link> doi> full text>
Kumar M, Curtis A, Hoskins C. 2018. Application of Nanoparticle Technologies in the Combat against Anti-Microbial Resistance. Pharmaceutics, vol. 10(1). link> doi> full text>
Oluwasanmi A, Al Shakarchi W, Manzur A, Aldebasi M, Elsini R, Albusair M, Haxton K, Curtis ADM, Hoskins C. 2017. Diels Alder-mediated release of gemcitabine from hybrid nanoparticles for enhanced pancreatic cancer therapy. Journal of Controlled Release, vol. 266, 355-364. doi> link> full text>
Manzur A, Oluwasanmi A, Moss D, Curtis A, Hoskins C. 2017. Nanotechnologies in Pancreatic Cancer Therapy. Pharmaceutics, vol. 9(4). link> doi> full text>
Oluwasanmi A, Al-Shakarchi W, Manzur A, Aldebasi MH, Elsini RS, Albusair MK, Haxton KJ, Curtis ADM, Hoskins C. 2017. Diels Alder-mediated release of gemcitabine from hybrid nanoparticles for enhanced pancreatic cancer therapy. J Control Release, vol. 266, 355-364. link> doi> full text>
Malekigorji M, Alfahad M, Kong Thoo Lin P, Jones S, Curtis A, Hoskins C. 2017. Thermally triggered theranostics for pancreatic cancer therapy. Nanoscale, vol. 9(34), 12735-12745. link> doi> full text>
Khare V, Al Sakarchi W, Gupta PN, Curtis ADM, Hoskins C. 2017. Further correction: Synthesis and characterization of TPGS-gemcitabine prodrug micelles for pancreatic cancer therapy (vol 6, 60126, 2016). RSC ADVANCES, vol. 7(28), 17367. link> doi> full text>
Khare V, Al Sakarchi W, Gupta PN, Curtis ADM, Hoskins C. 2017. Synthesis and characterization of TPGS-gemcitabine prodrug micelles for pancreatic cancer therapy (vol 6, pg 60126, 2016). RSC ADVANCES, vol. 7(21), 12598. link> doi> full text>
Oluwasanmi A, Malekigorji M, Jones S, Curtis A, Hoskins C. 2016. Potential of hybrid iron oxide-gold nanoparticles as thermal triggers for pancreatic cancer therapy. RSC ADVANCES, vol. 6(97), 95044-95054. link> doi> full text>
Khare V, Al Sakarchi W, Gupta PN, Curtis ADM, Hoskins C. 2016. Synthesis and characterization of TPGS-gemcitabine prodrug micelles for pancreatic cancer therapy. RSC ADVANCES, vol. 6(65), 60126-60137. link> doi> full text>
Hoskins C, Papachristou A, Ho TMH, Hine J, Curtis ADM. 2016. Investigation into drug solubilisation potential of sulfonated calix[4]resorcinarenes. Journal of Nanomedicine and Nanotechnology, vol. 7, Article 2. doi> full text>
Curtis ADM, Malekigorji M, Holman J, Skidmore M, Hoskins C. 2015. Heat Dissipation of Hybrid Iron Oxide-Gold Nanoparticles in an Agar Phantom. Journal of Nanomedicine and Nanotechnology. doi> full text>
Hoskins C and Curtis ADM. 2015. Simple Calixarenes and Resorcinarenes as Drug Solubilizing Agents. Journal of Nanomedicine Research, vol. 2(3), Article 28. doi>
Malekigorji M, Hoskins C, Curtis ADM, Varbiro G. 2014. Enhancement of the Cytotoxic Effect of Anticancer Agent by Cytochrome C Functionalised Hybrid Nanoparticles in Hepatocellular Cancer Cells. Journal of Nanomedicine Research, vol. 2(1), Article 10. doi>
Malekigorji M, Curtis ADM, Hoskins C. 2014. The Use of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Pancreatic Cancer Therapy. Journal of Nanomedicine Research, vol. 1(1), 1-12. doi>
Richardson A, Curtis ADM, Moss GP, Pearson RJ, White S, Rutten FJM, Perumal D, Maddock K. 2014. Simulated drug discovery process to conduct a synoptic assessment of pharmacy students. Am J Pharm Educ, vol. 78(2), 41. link> doi>
Barnett C, Lees M, Curtis ADM, Kong Thoo Lin P, Cheng WP, Hoskins C. Poly(allylamine) Magnetomicelles for Image Guided Drug Delivery. Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, vol. 1(3), 224-238. doi>
Robinson E, Nandi M, Wilkinson L, Arrowsmith M, Curtis ADM, Richardson A. 2013. Preclinical Evaluation of Statins as a Treatment for Ovarian Cancer. Gynecologic Oncology, vol. 129, 417-424. doi>
Robinson E, Nandi M, Wilkinson LL, Arrowsmith DM, Curtis ADM, Richardson A. 2013. Preclinical evaluation of statins as a treatment for ovarian cancer. Gynecol Oncol, vol. 129(2), 417-424. link> doi>
Foley S, Curtis ADM, Hirsch A, Brettreich M, Pelegrin A, Seta P, Larroque C. 2002. Interaction of a water soluble fullerene derivative with reactive oxygen species and model enzymatic systems. FULLERENES NANOTUBES AND CARBON NANOSTRUCTURES, vol. 10(1), 49-67. link> doi>
Clews J, Curtis ADM, Malkin H. 2001. The synthesis of C-2-symmetric and axially chiral compounds for recognition and catalysis (vol 56, pg 8735, 2000). TETRAHEDRON, vol. 57(28), 6097. link> doi>
Clews J, Curtis ADM, Malkin H. 2000. The synthesis of C-2-symmetric and axially chiral compounds for recognition and catalysis. TETRAHEDRON, vol. 56(44), 8735-8746. link> doi>
Curtis ADM, Humphries MJ, Ramsden CA. 2000. Studies Directed Towards Conformationally Restricted Nucleosides. ARKIVOC, vol. 1(3), 218-227.
Curtis ADM, McCague R, Ramsden CA, Raza RR. 1999. Preparation, characterisation and slow quantitative dissociation of a novel asymmetric N-unsubstituted dialkylsulfimide. CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS, 189-190. link> doi>
Ruggiero C, Mantelli M, Curtis A, Zhang S, Rolfe P. 1999. Computer modelling of the adsorption of proteins on solid surfaces under the influence of double layer and van der Waals energy. Med Biol Eng Comput, vol. 37(1), 119-124. link> doi>
Curtis ADM. 1997. Novel calix[4]resorcinarene glycosides. TETRAHEDRON LETTERS, vol. 38(24), 4295-4296. link> doi>
Cousins RPC, Curtis ADM, Ding WC, Stoodley RJ. 1995. 1,5-Asymmetric Inductions in the Reactions of 2-(2',3',4',6'-Tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy)benzaldehyde with Danishefsky's Diene. Tetrahedron Letters, vol. 36(47), 8689-8692. doi>
Kelly TR, Kim MH, Curtis ADM. 1993. Structure Correction and Synthesis of the Naturally Occurring Benzothiazinone BMY 40662. Journal of Organic Chemistry, vol. 58(21), 5855-5857. doi>
Curtis ADM, Mears RJ, Whiting A. 1993. The Origin of the Stereoselectivity in the Aldol Reactions of beta-Boronate Carbonyl Derivatives. Tetrahedron, vol. 49(1), 187-198. doi>
Beagley B, Curtis ADM, Pritchard RG, Stoodley RJ. 1992. Asymmetric Diels-Alder Reactions. Part 6. Regio- and Stereo-selective Cycloadditions of 5-(2',3',4',6'-Tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-1,4-naphthoquinone. Journal of the Chemical Society; Perkin Transactions 1, 1981-1991. doi>
Beagley B, Curtis ADM, Pritchard RG, Stoodley RJ. 1991. Highly Regio- and Stereo-selective Diel-Alder Reactions of 5-(2',3',4',6'-Tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-1,4-naphthoquinone. Chemical Communications, 119-121. doi>
Curtis ADM and Whiting A. 1991. Stereoselective Aldol Reactions of beta-Boronate Carbonyl Derivatives. Tetrahedron Letters, vol. 32(11), 1507-1510. doi>

Chapters

Curtis ADM and Hoskins C. 2015. Potential Use of Hybrid Iron Oxide-Gold as Drug Carriers. In Nano Based Drug Delivery. IAPC-OBC. doi>
Hoskins C and Curtis ADM. 2015. Potential Use of Hybrid Iron Oxide-Gold as Drug Carriers. In Nano Based Drug Deliver. IAPC-OBC.
Curtis ADM and Jennings N. 2008. 1,2,4-Triazoles. In Comprehensive Heterocyclic Chemistry III: Five-membered rings: Triazoles, Oxadiazoles, Thiadiazoles and their Fused Carbocyclic Derivatives. KATRITZKY AR, RAMSDEN CA, SCRIVEN EFV, TAYLOR RJK (Eds.). (vol. 5.02). Oxford: Elsevier Ltd.
Curtis ADM. 2003. 1,2,4-Triazoles. In Science of Synthesis: 5-Membered Hetarenes with Three or More Heteroatoms. BELLUS D, LEY SV, NOYORI R, REGITZ M, REIDER PJ, SCHAUMANN E, SHINKAI I, THOMAS EJ, TROST BM (Eds.). (vol. 13). Stuttgart: Georg Thieme Verlag.
Curtis ADM. 2000. Carbon-Carbon Bond Formation, Addition, Elimination and Substitution Reactions: 1 Carbon-Carbon Bond Formation Using Enzymes. In Biotechnology: Biotransformations II. (vol. 8b). Stuttgart: VCH Verlag.
Curtis ADM. 1996. Bicyclic 5-5 Systems: Four Heteroatoms 1:3. In Comprehensive Heterocyclic Chemistry II: Fused Five and Six-membered Rings without Ring Junction Heteroatoms. KATRITZKY AR, REES CW, SCRIVEN EFV (Eds.). (vol. 7). Oxford: Elsevier Science Ltd.
Curtis ADM. 1996. Bicyclic 6-6 Systems: Four Heteroatoms 1:3. In Comprehensive Heterocyclic Chemistry II: Fused Five and Six-membered Rings without Ring Junction Heteroatoms. KATRITZKY AR, REES CW, SCRIVEN EFV (Eds.). (vol. 7). Oxford: Elsevier Science Ltd.

Other

Osuagwu F and Curtis A. 2019. Novel Calix[4]Resorcinarene Nanocarriers for enhanced Drug Solubilisation: Synthesis of Octaamino-Substituted Resorcinarenes. JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY (vol. 71, pp. 10-11). link>
Alfahad M, Hoskins C, Curtis A. Synthesis of novel hybrid nanoparticle-prodrug constructs for pancreatic cancer therapy. full text>
Malekigorji M, Kong Thoo Lin P, Lees M, Gueorguieva M, Curtis A, Hoskins C. Temperature controlled theranostics for pancreatic cancer.
Al Shakarchi W, Varbiro G, Curtis A, Hoskins C. The co-administration of anticancer and pro-apoptotic agents as novel approach in liver cancer therapy. full text>
Alsuraifi A, Curtis A, Hoskins C. Thermoresponsive copolymer: (HPMA-CO-(APMA-R))-co-PEG polymer synthesis and physiochemical characterization. full text>
Alfahad MAM, Hoskins C, Curtis A. LOADING AND RELEASE OF NOVAL GEMCITABINE ADDUCT ONTO HYBRID GOLD IRON-OXIDE NANOPARTILCE FOR PANCREATIC CANCER THERAPY.
Malekigorji M, Kong Thoo Lin P, Lees M, Gueorguieva M, Curtis A, Hoskins C. 2016. Thermally triggered theranostics for pancreatic cancer. European journal of cancer (vol. 61, p. S129). Elsevier. doi> full text>
Malekigorji M, Lin PKT, Lees M, Gueorguieva M, Curtis A, Hoskins C. 2016. Thermally triggered theranostics for pancreatic cancer. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CANCER (vol. 61, p. S129). link>
Oluwasanmi A, Curtis A, Hoskins C. Novel Iron Oxide-Gold Nanohybrids with Heat Triggered Surface Manipulation. full text>
Alfahad M, Hoskins C, Curtis A. Synthesis of novel hybrid nanoparticulate-prodrug constructs for pancreatic cancer therapy. full text>
Malekigorji M, Kong Thoo Lin P, Lees M, Gueorguieva M, Curtis A, Hoskins C. TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED THERANOSTICS FOR PANCREATIC CANCER. full text>
Oluwasanmi A, Curtis ADM, Hoskins C. Novel Iron Oxide-Gold Nanohybrids with Heat-Triggered Surface Manipulation.
Alfahad MAM, Hoskins C, Curtis ADM. Synthesis of Novel Hybrid Nanoparticulate-Prodrug Constructs for Pancreatic Cancer Therapy.
Oluwasamni A, Curtis ADM, Hoskins C. Novel Iron Oxide-Gold Nanohybrids with Heat Triggered Surface Manipulation.
Barnett C, Lees M, Curtis ADM, Kong Thoo Lin P, Cheng WP, Hoskins C. Poly(allylamine) Magnetomicelles for Image Guided Drug Delivery.
Alfahad MAM, Hoskins C, Curtis ADM. Synthesis of Novel Hybrid Nanoparticulate-Prodrug Constructs for Pancreatic Cancer Therapy.
Barnett C, Cheng WP, Lees M, Curtis ADM, Kong Thoo Lin P, Hoskins C. Poly(allylamine) Magnetomicelles for Image Guided Drug Delivery.
Malekigorji M, Curtis ADM, Hoskins C, Varbiro G. Hybrid Iron Oxide-Gold Nanoparticles as Drug Delivery Vehicles for Cancer Therapy.
Curtis ADM. 2010. From Classroom To VLE And Back Again: A Blended Approach To Skills Development For Chemistry Students.
Then KY, Yang Y, Curtis A, Monaghan W, Shah S, McDonnell P, El Haj AJ. 2003. Effect of microtopographical cue on human corneal keratocytes orientation. INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE (vol. 44, p. U254). link>
Alsuraifi A, Curtis A, Hoskins C. Thermoresponsive copolymer: HPMA-co-AMPA-R polymer synthesis and physiochemical characterization. full text>

PhD Studentships

I welcome applications from students who wish to undertake postgraduate studies in my research group. All of our research is highly multidisciplinary and is driven by a desire to create useful technologies applicable to the treatment of a wide variety of different diseases. Interested students can contact me directly by email at a.d.m.curtis@keele.ac.uk to discuss potential projects as well as the application process.

In particular, a current focus is on the development of nano-scale drug delivery systems, within the field of nanopharmaceutics. We use calix[n]arenes and calix[4]resorcinarenes to make novel, supramolecular delivery systems for hydrophobic drugs which may otherwise be discarded from the development process due to their poor solubility in water. Our calix[4]resorcinarenes are drug solubilising agents and assemble into nano-carrier structures which act as chaperones for the drug molecules, potentially releasing the drug as a 'smart' response to some external stimulus, e.g. varying pH. This may carry the drug past the body's defense systems and avoid any premature drug degradation or metabolism. The nano-carriers themselves are simple and cheap to make and they can be easily tailored for many applications, by incorporation of specific functional groups which can confer additional properties for drug targeting or tracking. Specific projects currently include the development of calix[4]resorcinarene glycosides and amphiphilic calix[4]resorcinarenes for drug delivery.

Nanopharmaceutics research has experienced exponential growth internationally over recent years. Staff in the School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering are highly motivated, interdisciplinary scientists whose research spans across the boundaries of chemistry, physics and the life sciences, and who strive to drive forward innovation. Please do not hesitate to contact me directly about our research.