Ragazzon, Patricia - University of Salford - Biomedical Research Centre

个人简介

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, I studied Chemistry at Universidad del Salvador from 1992 to 1997. Following this, my career has been in research in both industry and academic institutes. My passion for science drove me across the world to undertake a PhD in Medicinal Chemistry at the Open University research campus in England, after which I worked as postdoctoral researcher in the USA at the Brown Cancer Center, a prestigious research centre in Kentucky until 2008. The research specialised in biophysical studies for drug-DNA interactions. I returned to the UK and up to 2012 worked as a Senior Research Scientist in Industry working in the area of DMPK/ADMETox which involved gaining extensive analytical expertise in LC-MS/MS, imaging microscopy, metabolism, toxicology and transporters studies. As well as this, I spent my free time collaborating with Manchester Metropolitan University on DNA intercalators and aptamers. I also gained teaching practice in the area of Medicinal Chemistry. which led ultimately to becoming a lecturer in the School of Environmental and Life Sciences at the University of Salford in 2013.

研究领域

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In the area of Medicinal Chemistry, we are developing a new class of compounds with antimicrobial properties. These compounds, based on natural products, are a new class of DNA bis-intercalators. In collaboration with MMU, we synthesised the first generation of compounds and we found it has an increased selectivity and affinity (100 folds) respect to the mono-compound. Now at UoS, we are taking this project to the next level; we are optimising our candidate to improve the properties. Our chosen target is G-quadruplex DNA, these higher order nucleic acids structures are rich in guanines; through bioinformatics and biological studies, it has been stipulated they could be present in many parasites and bacteria; making it an ideal target to tackle the problem of antibiotic resistance. I am also interested in aptamers. These recognition entities made of nucleic acids or peptides have many applications. Here at UoS, we are stabilising aptamers with therapeutic properties and we are also developing them as biosensors. I have expertise in pharmacology and pre-clinical testing; in this area we are also studying the effect of over the counter supplements using toxicological models and imaging techniques.