Dr Niek Buurma

Senior Lecturer in Physical Organic Chemistry

: Buurma@cardiff.ac.uk
: +44 29208 70301
: Main Building, Room 1.53, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT

: Available for postgraduate supervision

Niek grew up in the Netherlands, surrounded by water, and it is therefore not surprising that research in our group is aimed at understanding reactions and interactions in aqueous solutions. Our research is focused on two main areas.

The first area is the development of conjugated DNA-binders with useful optoelectronic properties for application as sensitisers in molecular diagnostics and biosensors, for use in forensics, as well as for use in self-assembled nanobioelectronic systems. Our contributions to this area include the synthesis of new DNA-binding compounds and studies of their DNA-binding properties using a variety of biophysical techniques. To support these studies, we also develop data-analysis software, in particular 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 focus on 1) pharmaceutically relevant racemisation processes, 2) kinetic and mechanistic studies of surfactant-assisted metal-catalysed as well as nanoparticle-catalysed reactions, 3) reactivity studies using automated reaction optimisers based on artificial intelligence (AI), and 4) micellar medium effects.

The group is involved in international collaborations as well as collaborations with industry.

Niek is active in science outreach and has presented the group’s research projects at Pint of Science in 2017, 2018 and 2019). Our work on racemisation has featured on BBC News.

For more information, click on the 'Research' tab above.

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)

The two main areas of research in the group (development of conjugated DNA-binders & study of organic reactions in aqueous solutions) encompass several linked projects.

Targeting DNA

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. These molecules are used as sensitisers in biosensors that detect the presence of bacterial pathogens through detecting their unique DNA sequences. In these sensors, formation of a double helix between a capture strand and a target strand is highlighted because the sensitisers bind to the formed duplex DNA.

Similarly, molecules targeting DNA can be used in applications in forensics. We develop dyes for facile and safe detection of biological trace evidence in crime scenes, without degrading the evidence in the process. We have identified several compounds of interest which we are testing using physical chemistry methods in models of crime scenes to assess sensitivity and selectivity.

Apart from being an interesting target for biomedical and forensic 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. In this area, we are developing new approaches and analytical techniques to identify the building blocks for self-assembled functional nanostructures.

For an overview of these applications, see our book chapter in “DNA in Supramolecular Chemistry and Nanotechnology”.

Organic reactivity in aqueous solutions

Our interest in organic reactivity focuses on aqueous solutions.

Kinetic and mechanistic studies of racemisation reactions in aqueous solutions are one of our key areas of interest. Despite tremendous interest in enantioselective synthesis, the area of chiral stability had been ignored for decades. As a result, significant resources are spent on enantioselective synthesis of pointless stereogenic centres, i.e. stereogenic centres that will quickly racemise when used in biologically relevant solutions. We have developed the first quantitative prediction of racemisation risk with general applicability. This predictive method allows researchers in industry and academia to avoid unstable stereogenic centres and was published as a “Hot Paper” in Angewandte Chemie . This research has obvious applications in medicinal chemistry and beyond.

We also apply our understanding of reaction medium effects in aqueous solutions in the development of transition metal-catalysed reactions using both molecular complexes and nanoparticles as catalysts.

Finally, we are interested in mechanistic studies of photochemical fading processes and we carry out such studies in collaboration with the group of Dr Joe Beames.

Model and method development

Our research frequently requires the development of new mathematical models or the development of new experimental techniques.

One of the techniques used for the study of interactions with DNA and other (bio)macromolecules is isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). We develop data-analysis software for complex (coupled) equilibria. Our software combines modular combination of interaction processes, optimisation algorithms from artificial intelligence, and powerful post-fitting parameter-validity analysis. This combination ensures maximum flexibility in data analysis while keeping parameters statistically significant. Our software is used worldwide and often forms the basis of collaborations with academia and industry.

Our studies of reactions and interactions also 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, for the analysis of kinetic data for catalysis by gold nanoparticles encapsulated within a thermosensitive shell, and for cooperative binding of metals to bivalent host systems.

Because of the need for quantitative data, much of our research is also supported by analytical chemistry. The use of existing analytical techniques and development of new techniques is therefore also important.

Artificial intelligence in chemistry

The group has developed data-analysis software for well over a decade. The artificial intelligence algorithms used in data analysis also offer potential in reaction optimisation. We are using such algorithms, running on Raspberry Pi computers, to develop low-cost automated reaction-optimisation systems in collaboration with the group of Joe Beames. One of the reasons for developing these systems is that we believe that reaction-optimisation platforms should be affordable to all research groups so that research in chemistry remains accessible to everyone who wants to explore a good synthetic idea.

For more information on specific projects available with Dr Niek Buurma please review the Molecular Synthesis section of our research project themes.

CH4203 Organic Chemistry of Multiply bonded Systems

CH3315 Advanced Organic Chemistry

CH4405 Advanced Techniques in Biophysical Chemistry

CHT206 Structure and mechanism in organic chemistry

CHT216 Colloquium

CHT229 Advanced Techniques in Biophysical Chemistry

CHT232 Key skills for postgraduate chemists

Details of modules can be found in course finder.

Niek obtained his MSc (1997, cum laude) and PhD (2003, cum laude) under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Jan B. F. N. Engberts at the University of Groningen, the Netherlands. Niek was then a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Sheffield (2002-2006) with Prof C. A. Hunter and Dr. I. Haq. Niek was appointed Lecturer in Physical Organic Chemistry at Cardiff University in 2006.

Niek is a Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry, Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Secretary of the RSC Physical Organic Chemistry Group, Member of the Core Team of the EPSRC Directed Assembly Network.

Unilever Research Prize 1998, Maître de Conférences invité at l’Université de Toulouse 3 - Paul Sabatier 2016.

Current supervision

Emily Judd-Cooper

Research student

Single or double? Understanding chemical reactivity of non-metal systems

External profiles

ORCID