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.
Selected Publications
- 2020.
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Silver-Nanoparticle-Mediated Therapies in the Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer. ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS, vol. 2(4), 1758-1772. link> doi> full text>2019.
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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>2019.
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The use of nanotechnology in cardiovascular disease. APPLIED NANOSCIENCE, vol. 8(7), 1607-1619. link> doi> full text>2018.
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A Novel PAA Derivative with Enhanced Drug Efficacy in Pancreatic Cancer Cell Lines. Pharmaceuticals (Basel), vol. 11(4). link> doi> full text>2018.
Full Publications List show
Books
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KATRITZKY AR, RAMSDEN CA, SCRIVEN EFV, TAYLOR RJK (Eds.). 2008. 1,2,4-Triazoles. (vol. 5). Oxford: Elsevier Ltd.
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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.
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REHM HJ, REED G, PUHLER A, STADLER P (Eds.). 2000. The Use of Enzymes in C-C Bond Formation. (vol. 8b). Stuttgart: VCH.
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Katritzky AR, Rees CW, SCRIVEN EFV (Eds.). 1996. Bicyclic 5-5 Systems: Four Heteroatoms 1:3. (vol. 7). Oxford: Elsevier Science Ltd.
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Katritzky AR, REES CW, SCRIVEN EFV (Eds.). 1996. Bicyclic 6-6 Systems: Four Heteroatoms 1:3. (vol. 7). Oxford: Elsevier Science Ltd.
Journal Articles
- 2020.
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Silver-Nanoparticle-Mediated Therapies in the Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer. ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS, vol. 2(4), 1758-1772. link> doi> full text>2019.
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The use of nanotechnology in cardiovascular disease. APPLIED NANOSCIENCE, vol. 8(7), 1607-1619. link> doi> full text>2018.
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A Novel PAA Derivative with Enhanced Drug Efficacy in Pancreatic Cancer Cell Lines. Pharmaceuticals (Basel), vol. 11(4). link> doi> full text>2018.
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Stimuli Responsive Polymeric Systems for Cancer Therapy. Pharmaceutics, vol. 10(3). link> doi> full text>2018.
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Dual Acting Polymeric Nano-Aggregates for Liver Cancer Therapy. Pharmaceutics, vol. 10(2). link> doi> full text>2018.
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Combined Effect of Anticancer Agents and Cytochrome C Decorated Hybrid Nanoparticles for Liver Cancer Therapy. Pharmaceutics, vol. 10(2). link> doi> full text>2018.
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Application of Nanoparticle Technologies in the Combat against Anti-Microbial Resistance. Pharmaceutics, vol. 10(1). link> doi> full text>2018.
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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>2017.
- 2017.
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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>2017.
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Thermally triggered theranostics for pancreatic cancer therapy. Nanoscale, vol. 9(34), 12735-12745. link> doi> full text>2017.
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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>2017.
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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>2017.
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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>2016.
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Synthesis and characterization of TPGS-gemcitabine prodrug micelles for pancreatic cancer therapy. RSC ADVANCES, vol. 6(65), 60126-60137. link> doi> full text>2016.
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Investigation into drug solubilisation potential of sulfonated calix[4]resorcinarenes. Journal of Nanomedicine and Nanotechnology, vol. 7, Article 2. doi> full text>2016.
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Heat Dissipation of Hybrid Iron Oxide-Gold Nanoparticles in an Agar Phantom. Journal of Nanomedicine and Nanotechnology. doi> full text>2015.
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Simple Calixarenes and Resorcinarenes as Drug Solubilizing Agents. Journal of Nanomedicine Research, vol. 2(3), Article 28. doi>2015.
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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>2014.
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The Use of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Pancreatic Cancer Therapy. Journal of Nanomedicine Research, vol. 1(1), 1-12. doi>2014.
- 2014.
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Poly(allylamine) Magnetomicelles for Image Guided Drug Delivery. Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, vol. 1(3), 224-238. doi>
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Preclinical Evaluation of Statins as a Treatment for Ovarian Cancer. Gynecologic Oncology, vol. 129, 417-424. doi>2013.
- 2013.
- 2002.
- 2001.
- 2000.
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Studies Directed Towards Conformationally Restricted Nucleosides. ARKIVOC, vol. 1(3), 218-227.2000.
- 1999.
- 1999.
- 1997.
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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>1995.
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Structure Correction and Synthesis of the Naturally Occurring Benzothiazinone BMY 40662. Journal of Organic Chemistry, vol. 58(21), 5855-5857. doi>1993.
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The Origin of the Stereoselectivity in the Aldol Reactions of beta-Boronate Carbonyl Derivatives. Tetrahedron, vol. 49(1), 187-198. doi>1993.
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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>1992.
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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>1991.
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Stereoselective Aldol Reactions of beta-Boronate Carbonyl Derivatives. Tetrahedron Letters, vol. 32(11), 1507-1510. doi>1991.
Chapters
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Potential Use of Hybrid Iron Oxide-Gold as Drug Carriers. In Nano Based Drug Delivery. IAPC-OBC. doi>2015.
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Potential Use of Hybrid Iron Oxide-Gold as Drug Carriers. In Nano Based Drug Deliver. IAPC-OBC.2015.
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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.2008.
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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.2003.
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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.2000.
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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.1996.
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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.1996.
Other
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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>2019.
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Synthesis of novel hybrid nanoparticle-prodrug constructs for pancreatic cancer therapy. full text>
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Temperature controlled theranostics for pancreatic cancer.
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The co-administration of anticancer and pro-apoptotic agents as novel approach in liver cancer therapy. full text>
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Thermoresponsive copolymer: (HPMA-CO-(APMA-R))-co-PEG polymer synthesis and physiochemical characterization. full text>
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LOADING AND RELEASE OF NOVAL GEMCITABINE ADDUCT ONTO HYBRID GOLD IRON-OXIDE NANOPARTILCE FOR PANCREATIC CANCER THERAPY.
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Thermally triggered theranostics for pancreatic cancer. European journal of cancer (vol. 61, p. S129). Elsevier. doi> full text>2016.
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Thermally triggered theranostics for pancreatic cancer. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CANCER (vol. 61, p. S129). link>2016.
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Novel Iron Oxide-Gold Nanohybrids with Heat Triggered Surface Manipulation. full text>
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Synthesis of novel hybrid nanoparticulate-prodrug constructs for pancreatic cancer therapy. full text>
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TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED THERANOSTICS FOR PANCREATIC CANCER. full text>
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Novel Iron Oxide-Gold Nanohybrids with Heat-Triggered Surface Manipulation.
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Synthesis of Novel Hybrid Nanoparticulate-Prodrug Constructs for Pancreatic Cancer Therapy.
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Novel Iron Oxide-Gold Nanohybrids with Heat Triggered Surface Manipulation.
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Poly(allylamine) Magnetomicelles for Image Guided Drug Delivery.
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Synthesis of Novel Hybrid Nanoparticulate-Prodrug Constructs for Pancreatic Cancer Therapy.
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Poly(allylamine) Magnetomicelles for Image Guided Drug Delivery.
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Hybrid Iron Oxide-Gold Nanoparticles as Drug Delivery Vehicles for Cancer Therapy.
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From Classroom To VLE And Back Again: A Blended Approach To Skills Development For Chemistry Students.2010.
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Effect of microtopographical cue on human corneal keratocytes orientation. INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE (vol. 44, p. U254). link>2003.
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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.
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.


