Targeting DNA Repair Nucleases for Medicine

Nuclease enzymes are proteins in the body that have been linked with the DNA damage repair process.

By inhibiting these nuclease enzymes in cancerous cells, it is thought that the cancer can be sensitised to therapeutics such as radiotherapy – making them a much more effective treatment for the cancer.

Within my project I will attempt to design and synthesise small molecules that will act as effective inhibitors of these nuclease enzymes, as well as molecules that will help probe and deconvolute how they work within the body.

I will do this by developing and improving upon drug-like small molecules that have been previously identified by the group, replacing areas of the molecules that cause key issues such as poor permeability and instability. These molecules will be synthesised and tested on biochemical assays.

If successful, this project will improve our understanding of key proteins within the body and potentially pave the way to a new combination therapy for cancer.