![Niek Buurma](https://profiles-cardiff.imgix.net/attachments/1469?w=200&h=200&auto=format&crop=faces&fit=crop&q=90")
Dr Niek Buurma
Lecturer in Physical Organic Chemistry
- Buurma@caerdydd.ac.uk
- +44 29208 70301
- Y Prif Adeilad, Ystafell 1.53, Plas y Parc, Caerdydd, CF10 3AT
- Ar gael fel goruchwyliwr ôl-raddedig
Trosolwyg
Links
Research Group: Biological and Organic Chemistry
Research Interests
Dr Buurma$acirc; s research is aimed at understanding reactions and interactions in aqueous solutions in order to control processes in water and is focused on two main areas.
The first area involves the development of conjugated DNA-binders with interesting optoelectronic properties for molecular diagnostics and therapeutic purposes as well as for use in self-assembled nanobioelectronic systems. Our contributions to this area include the synthesis of news DNA-binding compounds and subsequent studies of their DNA-binding properties as well as the development of data-analysis software for the analysis of isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) data for complex coupled equilibria.
The second area of interest involves the study of organic reactions in aqueous solutions. We currently focus on studies of micellar medium effects, kinetic and mechanistic studies of surfactant-assisted metal-catalysed as well as nanoparticle-catalysed reactions. In addition, we study pharmaceutically relevant racemisation processes (in collaboration with AstraZeneca).
The ultimate aim of all our projects is to develop and use our ability to control and direct reactions and interactions in aqueous solution, bringing chemistry, (nano)engineering and nature together.
For more information, click on the 'Research' tab above.
Teaching
CH0001 Fundamental Aspects of Chemistry
CH3203 Organic Chemistry of Multiply bonded Systems
CH3303 Advanced Organic Chemistry
Cyhoeddiad
2023
- Buurma, N. J. and Bagley, S. W. 2023. A focus on computer vision for non-contact monitoring of catalyst degradation and product formation kinetics. Chemical Science 14(40), pp. 10994-10996. (10.1039/d3sc90145a)
- Pritchard, M. F. et al. 2023. Structure–activity relationships of low molecular weight alginate oligosaccharide therapy against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Biomolecules 13(9), article number: 1366. (10.3390/biom13091366)
2022
- Saud, Z. et al. 2022. The SARS-CoV2 envelope differs from host cells, exposes pro-coagulant lipids, and is disrupted in vivo by oral rinses. Journal of Lipid Research 63(6), article number: 100208. (10.1016/j.jlr.2022.100208)
2021
- Dasgupta, A. et al. 2021. Site-selective Csp3–Csp/Csp3–Csp2 cross-coupling reactions using frustrated Lewis pairs. Journal of the American Chemical Society 143(11), pp. 4451-4464. (10.1021/jacs.1c01622)
2020
- Day, A. H. et al. 2020. Targeted cell imaging properties of a deep red luminescent iridium(III) complex conjugated with a c-Myc signal peptide. Chemical Science 11(6), pp. 1599-1606. (10.1039/C9SC05568A)
2019
- Ballard, A. et al. 2019. Racemisation in chemistry and biology. Chemistry - A European Journal (10.1002/chem.201903917)
- Saeed, I. Q. and Buurma, N. J. 2019. Analysis of isothermal titration calorimetry data for complex interactions using I2CITC. In: Ennifar, E. ed. Microcalorimetry of Biological Molecules., Vol. 1964. Methods in Molecular Biology Humana Press, pp. 169-183., (10.1007/978-1-4939-9179-2_13)
- Ballard, A., Narduolo, S., Ahmad, H. O., Cosgrove, D. A., Leach, A. G. and Buurma, N. J. 2019. The problem of racemization in drug discovery and tools to predict it. Expert Opinion on Drug Discovery 14(6), pp. 527-539. (10.1080/17460441.2019.1588881)
2018
- Powell, L. C. et al. 2018. Targeted disruption of the extracellular polymeric network of pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms by alginate oligosaccharides. npj Biofilms and Microbiomes 4, article number: 13. (10.1038/s41522-018-0056-3)
- Ballard, A. et al. 2018. Quantitative prediction of rate constants for aqueous racemization to avoid pointless stereoselective syntheses. Angewandte Chemie International Edition 57(4), pp. 982-985. (10.1002/anie.201709163)
2017
- Buurma, N. J. 2017. Aggregation and reactivity in aqueous solutions of cationic surfactants and aromatic anions across concentration scales. Current Opinion in Colloid & Interface Science 32, pp. 69-75. (10.1016/j.cocis.2017.10.005)
- Saeed, H. K. et al. 2017. Homo- and heteroleptic phototoxic dinuclear metallo-intercalators based on RuII(dppn) intercalating moieties: synthesis, optical, and biological studies. Angewandte Chemie International Edition 56(41), pp. 12628-12633. (10.1002/anie.201707350)
- Bouleghlimat, A., Othman, M., Lagrave, L., Matsuzawa, S., Nakamura, Y., Fujii, S. and Buurma, N. 2017. Halide-enhanced catalytic activity of palladium nanoparticles comes at the expense of catalyst recovery. Catalysts 7(9), article number: 280. (10.3390/catal7090280)
- Buurma, N. J. 2017. π-conjugated DNA binders. In: Stulz, E. and Clever, G. H. eds. Supramolecular Chemistry and Nanotechnology. Wiley, pp. ch1.2., (10.1002/9781118696880.ch1.2)
- Saeed, H., Saeed, I., Buurma, N. and Thomas, J. A. 2017. The structure of linkers affects the DNA binding properties of tethered dinuclear ruthenium (II) metallo-intercalators. Chemistry - A European Journal 23(23), pp. 5467 -5477. (10.1002/chem.201605750)
- Pritchard, M. F. et al. 2017. The antimicrobial effects of the alginate oligomer OligoG CF-5/20 are independent of direct bacterial cell membrane disruption. Scientific Reports 7, article number: 44731. (10.1038/srep44731)
- Cao, T., Zhang, F., Cai, L., Zhou, Y., Buurma, N. J. and Zhang, X. 2017. Investigation of the interactions between methylene blue and intramolecular G-quadruplexes: an explicit distinction in electrochemical behavior. Analyst 2017(142), pp. 987-993. (10.1039/C7AN00083A)
2016
- Hahn, L., Buurma, N. J. and Gade, L. H. 2016. A water-soluble tetraazaperopyrene dye as strong G-quadruplex DNA binder. Chemistry - A European Journal 22(18), pp. 6314-6322. (10.1002/chem.201504934)
2015
- Burley, G. A. et al. 2015. (Non-) covalently modified DNA with novel functions. In: Stults, E. and Clever, G. eds. DNA in Supramolecular Chemistry and Nanotechnology. UK: Wiley-Blackwell, pp. 1-15., (10.1002/9781118696880.ch1)
2014
- Zheng, G. et al. 2014. Palladium nanoparticle-loaded cellulose paper: a highly efficient, robust, and recyclable self-assembled composite catalytic system. The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters 6(2), pp. 230-238. (10.1021/jz5024948)
- Regan, E. M. et al. 2014. A novel cobalt complex for enhancing amperometric and impedimetric DNA detection. Electrochimica Acta 128, pp. 10-15. (10.1016/j.electacta.2013.10.028)
2013
- Salvia, M. et al. 2013. Thiazotropsin aggregation and its relationship to molecular recognition in the DNA minor groove. Biophysical Chemistry 179, pp. 1-11. (10.1016/j.bpc.2013.04.001)
- Dávila-Ibáñez, A. B., Buurma, N. J. and Salgueiriño, V. 2013. Assessment of DNA complexation onto polyelectrolyte-coated magnetic silica nanoparticles. Nanoscale 5(11), pp. 4797-4807. (10.1039/c3nr34358h)
- Postolachi, R., Danac, R., Buurma, N. J., Pui, A., Balan, M., Shova, S. and Deleanu, C. 2013. New cycloimmonium ylide ligands and their palladium(ii) affinities. RSC Advances 3(38), pp. 17260-17270. (10.1039/c3ra41911h)
2012
- Saad, F., Buurma, N. J., Amoroso, A. J., Knight, J. C. and Kariuki, B. . 2012. Co-ordination behaviour of a novel bisthiourea tripodal ligand: structural, spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of a series of transition metal complexes. Dalton Transactions 41(15), pp. 4608-4617. (10.1039/c2dt11732k)
- Fujii, S., Matsuzawa, S., Hamasaki, H., Nakamura, Y., Bouleghlimat, A. and Buurma, N. J. 2012. Polypyrrole-palladium nanocomposite coating of micrometer-sized polymer particles toward a recyclable catalyst. Langmuir 28(5), pp. 2436-2447. (10.1021/la204324f)
- Leach, A. G. et al. 2012. Enantiomeric pairs reveal that key medicinal chemistry parameters vary more than simple physical property based models can explain. MedChemComm 3(5), pp. 528-540. (10.1039/c2md20010d)
- Buurma, N. J. 2012. Reactivity in organised assemblies. Annual Reports Section "B" (Organic Chemistry) 108, pp. 316-333. (10.1039/c2oc90021a)
2011
- Taladriz Blanco, P., Buurma, N. J., Rodriguez Lorenzo, L., Perez Juste, J., Liz Marzan, L. and Herves, P. 2011. Reversible assembly of metal nanoparticles induced by penicillamine. Dynamic formation of SERS hot spots. Journal of Materials Chemistry 21(42), pp. 16880-16887. (10.1039/C1JM12175H)
- Buurma, N. J. 2011. Reactivity in organised assemblies. Annual Reports Section "B" (Organic Chemistry) 107, pp. 328-348. (10.1039/c1oc90014e)
- Jones, J. E., Amoroso, A. J., Dorin, I. M., Parigi, G., Ward, B. D., Buurma, N. J. and Pope, S. J. A. 2011. Bimodal, dimetallic lanthanide complexes that bind to DNA: the nature of binding and its influence on water relaxivity. Chemical Communications 47(12), pp. 3374-3376. (10.1039/C1CC00111F)
- Onel, L. and Buurma, N. J. 2011. The Nature of the Sodium Dodecylsulfate Micellar Pseudophase as Studied by Reaction Kinetics. Journal of Physical Chemistry B 115(45), pp. 13199-13211. (10.1021/jp208171w)
2010
- Onel, L. and Buurma, N. J. 2010. Reactivity in organised assemblies. Annual Reports Section "B" (Organic Chemistry) 106, pp. 344-375. (10.1039/b927079p)
- Carregal-Romero, S., Buurma, N. J., Pérez-Juste, J., Liz-Marzán, L. M. and Hervés, P. 2010. Catalysis by Au@pNIPAM nanocomposites: effect of the cross-linking density. Chemistry of Materials 22(10), pp. 3051-3059. (10.1021/cm903261b)
- Wheelhouse, R. T., Garbett, N. C., Buurma, N. J. and Chaires, J. B. 2010. Probing the molecular recognition of a DNA-RNA hybrid duplex. Angewandte Chemie International Edition 49(18), pp. 3207-3210. (10.1002/anie.200907235)
- Buurma, N. J., Cook, J. L., Hunter, C. A., Low, C. M. R. and Vinter, J. G. 2010. The role of functional group concentration in solvation thermodynamics. Chemical Science 1(2), pp. 242-246. (10.1039/C0SC00209G)
2009
- Buurma, N. J. 2009. Kinetic medium effects on organic reactions in aqueous colloidal solutions. Advances in Physical Organic Chemistry 43, pp. 1-37. (10.1016/S0065-3160(08)00001-4)
- Onel, L. and Buurma, N. J. 2009. Reactivity in organised assemblies. Annual Reports Section "B" (Organic Chemistry) 105, pp. 363-379. (10.1039/b905116n)
2008
- Mullice, L. A., Laye, R. H., Harding, L. P., Buurma, N. J. and Pope, S. J. A. 2008. Rhenium complexes of chromophore-appended dipicolylamine ligands: syntheses, spectroscopic properties, DNA binding and X-ray crystal structure. New Journal of Chemistry 32(12), pp. 2140-2149. (10.1039/b800999f)
- Spillane, C. B., Dabo, M. N., Fletcher, N. C., Morgan, J. L., Keene, F. R., Haq, I. and Buurma, N. J. 2008. The dichotomy in the DNA-binding behaviour of ruthenium(II) complexes bearing benzoxazole and benzothiazole groups. Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry 102(4), pp. 673-683. (10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2007.10.011)
- Buurma, N. J. and Haq, I. 2008. Calorimetric and spectroscopic studies of Hoechst 33258: self-association and binding to non-cognate DNA. Journal of Molecular Biology 381(3), pp. 607-621. (10.1016/j.jmb.2008.05.073)
2006
- Shibata, T., Buurma, N. J., Brazier, J. A., Thompson, P., Haq, I. and Williams, D. M. 2006. 7,8-Dihydropyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-2-one; a bicyclic cytosine analogue capable of enhanced stabilisation of DNA duplexes. Chemical Communications(33), pp. 3516-3518. (10.1039/b606058g)
2004
- Buurma, N. J., Serena, P., Blandamer, M. J. and Engberts, J. B. F. N. 2004. The Nature of the Micellar Stern Region As Studied by Reaction Kinetics. 2. The Journal of Organic Chemistry 69(11), pp. 3899-3906. (10.1021/jo049959l)
2003
- Buurma, N. J., Blandamer, M. J. and Engberts, J. B. F. N. 2003. General-base catalysed hydrolysis and nucleophilic substitution of activated amides in aqueous solutions. Journal of Physical Organic Chemistry 16(8), pp. 438-449. (10.1002/poc.607)
2001
- Buurma, N. J., Pastorello, L., Blandamer, M. J. and Engberts, J. B. F. N. 2001. Kinetic Evidence for Hydrophobically Stabilized Encounter Complexes Formed by Hydrophobic Esters in Aqueous Solutions Containing Monohydric Alcohols. Journal of the American Chemical Society 123(48), pp. 11848-11853. (10.1021/ja010617w)
Adrannau llyfrau
- Saeed, I. Q. and Buurma, N. J. 2019. Analysis of isothermal titration calorimetry data for complex interactions using I2CITC. In: Ennifar, E. ed. Microcalorimetry of Biological Molecules., Vol. 1964. Methods in Molecular Biology Humana Press, pp. 169-183., (10.1007/978-1-4939-9179-2_13)
- Buurma, N. J. 2017. π-conjugated DNA binders. In: Stulz, E. and Clever, G. H. eds. Supramolecular Chemistry and Nanotechnology. Wiley, pp. ch1.2., (10.1002/9781118696880.ch1.2)
- Burley, G. A. et al. 2015. (Non-) covalently modified DNA with novel functions. In: Stults, E. and Clever, G. eds. DNA in Supramolecular Chemistry and Nanotechnology. UK: Wiley-Blackwell, pp. 1-15., (10.1002/9781118696880.ch1)
Erthyglau
- Buurma, N. J. and Bagley, S. W. 2023. A focus on computer vision for non-contact monitoring of catalyst degradation and product formation kinetics. Chemical Science 14(40), pp. 10994-10996. (10.1039/d3sc90145a)
- Pritchard, M. F. et al. 2023. Structure–activity relationships of low molecular weight alginate oligosaccharide therapy against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Biomolecules 13(9), article number: 1366. (10.3390/biom13091366)
- Saud, Z. et al. 2022. The SARS-CoV2 envelope differs from host cells, exposes pro-coagulant lipids, and is disrupted in vivo by oral rinses. Journal of Lipid Research 63(6), article number: 100208. (10.1016/j.jlr.2022.100208)
- Dasgupta, A. et al. 2021. Site-selective Csp3–Csp/Csp3–Csp2 cross-coupling reactions using frustrated Lewis pairs. Journal of the American Chemical Society 143(11), pp. 4451-4464. (10.1021/jacs.1c01622)
- Day, A. H. et al. 2020. Targeted cell imaging properties of a deep red luminescent iridium(III) complex conjugated with a c-Myc signal peptide. Chemical Science 11(6), pp. 1599-1606. (10.1039/C9SC05568A)
- Ballard, A. et al. 2019. Racemisation in chemistry and biology. Chemistry - A European Journal (10.1002/chem.201903917)
- Ballard, A., Narduolo, S., Ahmad, H. O., Cosgrove, D. A., Leach, A. G. and Buurma, N. J. 2019. The problem of racemization in drug discovery and tools to predict it. Expert Opinion on Drug Discovery 14(6), pp. 527-539. (10.1080/17460441.2019.1588881)
- Powell, L. C. et al. 2018. Targeted disruption of the extracellular polymeric network of pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms by alginate oligosaccharides. npj Biofilms and Microbiomes 4, article number: 13. (10.1038/s41522-018-0056-3)
- Ballard, A. et al. 2018. Quantitative prediction of rate constants for aqueous racemization to avoid pointless stereoselective syntheses. Angewandte Chemie International Edition 57(4), pp. 982-985. (10.1002/anie.201709163)
- Buurma, N. J. 2017. Aggregation and reactivity in aqueous solutions of cationic surfactants and aromatic anions across concentration scales. Current Opinion in Colloid & Interface Science 32, pp. 69-75. (10.1016/j.cocis.2017.10.005)
- Saeed, H. K. et al. 2017. Homo- and heteroleptic phototoxic dinuclear metallo-intercalators based on RuII(dppn) intercalating moieties: synthesis, optical, and biological studies. Angewandte Chemie International Edition 56(41), pp. 12628-12633. (10.1002/anie.201707350)
- Bouleghlimat, A., Othman, M., Lagrave, L., Matsuzawa, S., Nakamura, Y., Fujii, S. and Buurma, N. 2017. Halide-enhanced catalytic activity of palladium nanoparticles comes at the expense of catalyst recovery. Catalysts 7(9), article number: 280. (10.3390/catal7090280)
- Saeed, H., Saeed, I., Buurma, N. and Thomas, J. A. 2017. The structure of linkers affects the DNA binding properties of tethered dinuclear ruthenium (II) metallo-intercalators. Chemistry - A European Journal 23(23), pp. 5467 -5477. (10.1002/chem.201605750)
- Pritchard, M. F. et al. 2017. The antimicrobial effects of the alginate oligomer OligoG CF-5/20 are independent of direct bacterial cell membrane disruption. Scientific Reports 7, article number: 44731. (10.1038/srep44731)
- Cao, T., Zhang, F., Cai, L., Zhou, Y., Buurma, N. J. and Zhang, X. 2017. Investigation of the interactions between methylene blue and intramolecular G-quadruplexes: an explicit distinction in electrochemical behavior. Analyst 2017(142), pp. 987-993. (10.1039/C7AN00083A)
- Hahn, L., Buurma, N. J. and Gade, L. H. 2016. A water-soluble tetraazaperopyrene dye as strong G-quadruplex DNA binder. Chemistry - A European Journal 22(18), pp. 6314-6322. (10.1002/chem.201504934)
- Zheng, G. et al. 2014. Palladium nanoparticle-loaded cellulose paper: a highly efficient, robust, and recyclable self-assembled composite catalytic system. The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters 6(2), pp. 230-238. (10.1021/jz5024948)
- Regan, E. M. et al. 2014. A novel cobalt complex for enhancing amperometric and impedimetric DNA detection. Electrochimica Acta 128, pp. 10-15. (10.1016/j.electacta.2013.10.028)
- Salvia, M. et al. 2013. Thiazotropsin aggregation and its relationship to molecular recognition in the DNA minor groove. Biophysical Chemistry 179, pp. 1-11. (10.1016/j.bpc.2013.04.001)
- Dávila-Ibáñez, A. B., Buurma, N. J. and Salgueiriño, V. 2013. Assessment of DNA complexation onto polyelectrolyte-coated magnetic silica nanoparticles. Nanoscale 5(11), pp. 4797-4807. (10.1039/c3nr34358h)
- Postolachi, R., Danac, R., Buurma, N. J., Pui, A., Balan, M., Shova, S. and Deleanu, C. 2013. New cycloimmonium ylide ligands and their palladium(ii) affinities. RSC Advances 3(38), pp. 17260-17270. (10.1039/c3ra41911h)
- Saad, F., Buurma, N. J., Amoroso, A. J., Knight, J. C. and Kariuki, B. . 2012. Co-ordination behaviour of a novel bisthiourea tripodal ligand: structural, spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of a series of transition metal complexes. Dalton Transactions 41(15), pp. 4608-4617. (10.1039/c2dt11732k)
- Fujii, S., Matsuzawa, S., Hamasaki, H., Nakamura, Y., Bouleghlimat, A. and Buurma, N. J. 2012. Polypyrrole-palladium nanocomposite coating of micrometer-sized polymer particles toward a recyclable catalyst. Langmuir 28(5), pp. 2436-2447. (10.1021/la204324f)
- Leach, A. G. et al. 2012. Enantiomeric pairs reveal that key medicinal chemistry parameters vary more than simple physical property based models can explain. MedChemComm 3(5), pp. 528-540. (10.1039/c2md20010d)
- Buurma, N. J. 2012. Reactivity in organised assemblies. Annual Reports Section "B" (Organic Chemistry) 108, pp. 316-333. (10.1039/c2oc90021a)
- Taladriz Blanco, P., Buurma, N. J., Rodriguez Lorenzo, L., Perez Juste, J., Liz Marzan, L. and Herves, P. 2011. Reversible assembly of metal nanoparticles induced by penicillamine. Dynamic formation of SERS hot spots. Journal of Materials Chemistry 21(42), pp. 16880-16887. (10.1039/C1JM12175H)
- Buurma, N. J. 2011. Reactivity in organised assemblies. Annual Reports Section "B" (Organic Chemistry) 107, pp. 328-348. (10.1039/c1oc90014e)
- Jones, J. E., Amoroso, A. J., Dorin, I. M., Parigi, G., Ward, B. D., Buurma, N. J. and Pope, S. J. A. 2011. Bimodal, dimetallic lanthanide complexes that bind to DNA: the nature of binding and its influence on water relaxivity. Chemical Communications 47(12), pp. 3374-3376. (10.1039/C1CC00111F)
- Onel, L. and Buurma, N. J. 2011. The Nature of the Sodium Dodecylsulfate Micellar Pseudophase as Studied by Reaction Kinetics. Journal of Physical Chemistry B 115(45), pp. 13199-13211. (10.1021/jp208171w)
- Onel, L. and Buurma, N. J. 2010. Reactivity in organised assemblies. Annual Reports Section "B" (Organic Chemistry) 106, pp. 344-375. (10.1039/b927079p)
- Carregal-Romero, S., Buurma, N. J., Pérez-Juste, J., Liz-Marzán, L. M. and Hervés, P. 2010. Catalysis by Au@pNIPAM nanocomposites: effect of the cross-linking density. Chemistry of Materials 22(10), pp. 3051-3059. (10.1021/cm903261b)
- Wheelhouse, R. T., Garbett, N. C., Buurma, N. J. and Chaires, J. B. 2010. Probing the molecular recognition of a DNA-RNA hybrid duplex. Angewandte Chemie International Edition 49(18), pp. 3207-3210. (10.1002/anie.200907235)
- Buurma, N. J., Cook, J. L., Hunter, C. A., Low, C. M. R. and Vinter, J. G. 2010. The role of functional group concentration in solvation thermodynamics. Chemical Science 1(2), pp. 242-246. (10.1039/C0SC00209G)
- Buurma, N. J. 2009. Kinetic medium effects on organic reactions in aqueous colloidal solutions. Advances in Physical Organic Chemistry 43, pp. 1-37. (10.1016/S0065-3160(08)00001-4)
- Onel, L. and Buurma, N. J. 2009. Reactivity in organised assemblies. Annual Reports Section "B" (Organic Chemistry) 105, pp. 363-379. (10.1039/b905116n)
- Mullice, L. A., Laye, R. H., Harding, L. P., Buurma, N. J. and Pope, S. J. A. 2008. Rhenium complexes of chromophore-appended dipicolylamine ligands: syntheses, spectroscopic properties, DNA binding and X-ray crystal structure. New Journal of Chemistry 32(12), pp. 2140-2149. (10.1039/b800999f)
- Spillane, C. B., Dabo, M. N., Fletcher, N. C., Morgan, J. L., Keene, F. R., Haq, I. and Buurma, N. J. 2008. The dichotomy in the DNA-binding behaviour of ruthenium(II) complexes bearing benzoxazole and benzothiazole groups. Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry 102(4), pp. 673-683. (10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2007.10.011)
- Buurma, N. J. and Haq, I. 2008. Calorimetric and spectroscopic studies of Hoechst 33258: self-association and binding to non-cognate DNA. Journal of Molecular Biology 381(3), pp. 607-621. (10.1016/j.jmb.2008.05.073)
- Shibata, T., Buurma, N. J., Brazier, J. A., Thompson, P., Haq, I. and Williams, D. M. 2006. 7,8-Dihydropyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-2-one; a bicyclic cytosine analogue capable of enhanced stabilisation of DNA duplexes. Chemical Communications(33), pp. 3516-3518. (10.1039/b606058g)
- Buurma, N. J., Serena, P., Blandamer, M. J. and Engberts, J. B. F. N. 2004. The Nature of the Micellar Stern Region As Studied by Reaction Kinetics. 2. The Journal of Organic Chemistry 69(11), pp. 3899-3906. (10.1021/jo049959l)
- Buurma, N. J., Blandamer, M. J. and Engberts, J. B. F. N. 2003. General-base catalysed hydrolysis and nucleophilic substitution of activated amides in aqueous solutions. Journal of Physical Organic Chemistry 16(8), pp. 438-449. (10.1002/poc.607)
- Buurma, N. J., Pastorello, L., Blandamer, M. J. and Engberts, J. B. F. N. 2001. Kinetic Evidence for Hydrophobically Stabilized Encounter Complexes Formed by Hydrophobic Esters in Aqueous Solutions Containing Monohydric Alcohols. Journal of the American Chemical Society 123(48), pp. 11848-11853. (10.1021/ja010617w)
- Taladriz Blanco, P., Buurma, N. J., Rodriguez Lorenzo, L., Perez Juste, J., Liz Marzan, L. and Herves, P. 2011. Reversible assembly of metal nanoparticles induced by penicillamine. Dynamic formation of SERS hot spots. Journal of Materials Chemistry 21(42), pp. 16880-16887. (10.1039/C1JM12175H)
- Jones, J. E., Amoroso, A. J., Dorin, I. M., Parigi, G., Ward, B. D., Buurma, N. J. and Pope, S. J. A. 2011. Bimodal, dimetallic lanthanide complexes that bind to DNA: the nature of binding and its influence on water relaxivity. Chemical Communications 47(12), pp. 3374-3376. (10.1039/C1CC00111F)
- Onel, L. and Buurma, N. J. 2011. The Nature of the Sodium Dodecylsulfate Micellar Pseudophase as Studied by Reaction Kinetics. Journal of Physical Chemistry B 115(45), pp. 13199-13211. (10.1021/jp208171w)
- Carregal-Romero, S., Buurma, N. J., Pérez-Juste, J., Liz-Marzán, L. M. and Hervés, P. 2010. Catalysis by Au@pNIPAM nanocomposites: effect of the cross-linking density. Chemistry of Materials 22(10), pp. 3051-3059. (10.1021/cm903261b)
- Wheelhouse, R. T., Garbett, N. C., Buurma, N. J. and Chaires, J. B. 2010. Probing the molecular recognition of a DNA-RNA hybrid duplex. Angewandte Chemie International Edition 49(18), pp. 3207-3210. (10.1002/anie.200907235)
- Buurma, N. J., Cook, J. L., Hunter, C. A., Low, C. M. R. and Vinter, J. G. 2010. The role of functional group concentration in solvation thermodynamics. Chemical Science 1(2), pp. 242-246. (10.1039/C0SC00209G)
- Buurma, N. J. and Haq, I. 2008. Calorimetric and spectroscopic studies of Hoechst 33258: self-association and binding to non-cognate DNA. Journal of Molecular Biology 381(3), pp. 607-621. (10.1016/j.jmb.2008.05.073)
Ymchwil
DNA is an important target for potential drugs and genosensors. Molecules allowing control over selectivity and affinity for DNA are therefore of particular interest as genosensors (and/or therapeutic agents). We develop new DNA-binding motifs consisting of fully conjugated systems which display changes in optoelectronic properties upon interaction with DNA. As an example of this approach, we have recently elucidated the binding mode and quantified the affinity of several cationically substituted oligothiophenes with DNA. Further work on additional conjugated oligoheteroaromatics is ongoing with the final aim to develop sequence-selective conjugated polymers for use as genosensors.
Apart from being an interesting target for biomedical applications, DNA in itself forms a versatile building block for a range of 3D structures. Combining these 3D structures with DNA-binding molecules having interesting electronic properties opens up the world of nanobioelectronics.
One of the techniques used for the study of interactions with DNA and other (bio)macromolecules is isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). We have developed, and continue to develop, data analysis software for complex (coupled) equilibria. Our software allows the modular combination of interaction processes coupled with powerful post-fit parameter-validity analysis procedures, ensuring maximum flexibility in data analysis while keeping parameters statistically significant.
Our interest in organic reactivity focuses on aqueous solutions. A key interest is the use of micellar solutions. Micelles can be employed as colloidal catalysts (or catalyst supports) in aqueous solutions for a variety of reactions. In order to optimise the catalytic properties of micelles, we need to understand their properties as a reaction medium. We have developed a model that describes the local reaction medium provided by micelles. Based on our analysis, model solutions accurately mimicking the reaction medium as offered by micelles can be prepared. This in turn allows tuning of activity and selectivity of surfactant based catalysts.
We apply our understanding of the local reaction medium offered by micelles in the development of micelle-assisted transition metal-catalysed reactions. A representative system of current interest involves the oxidative coupling of boronic acids. Very recently, we have also ventured into approaches using nanoparticles.
In collaboration with AstraZeneca, we study the kinetics and mechanism of racemisation reactions in aqueous solutions. As part of this project, we develop the use of VCD for kinetic and mechanistic studies.
Finally, our studies of reactions and interactions require development of mathematical models for the analysis of experimental data. For example, in addition to our software for the analysis of complex ITC data, we have developed models for the global analysis of pH- and temperature-dependent enzyme kinetics and for the analysis of kinetic data for catalysis by gold nanoparticles encapsulated within a thermosensitive shell.
Addysgu
Bywgraffiad
MSc (1997) and PhD (both cum laude), University of Groningen (2003, J. B. F. N. Engberts). Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Sheffield (2002-2006, C. A. Hunter and I. Haq). Appointed Lecturer in Physical Organic Chemistry, Cardiff, in 2006.
Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry, Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Member of the RSC Physical Organic Chemistry Group committee. Unilever Research Prize 1998.
