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Staff Profile

Dr Harriet Annabella Stanway-Gordon

Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 Research Fellow

Background

Qualifications

MSci Chemistry, Imperial College London, 2015

MSc Drug Chemistry, Newcastle University, 2018

PhD Medicinal Chemistry, Newcastle University, 2022


Previous Positions

EPSRC Doctoral Prize Fellow, Newcastle University, 2022-2024


Research

Research in the Stanway-Gordon group focuses on the identification and development of biologically active compounds for difficult-to-drug targets through the use of novel modalities. Conventional structures employed in medicinal chemistry can be broadly categorised as either small molecules or monoclonal antibodies. The regions of biological space that can be accessed by each of these is restricted due to their respective properties; in particular there is a deficiency in molecules that have the ability to interact with complex intracellular targets, Cyclic peptides (CPs) are emerging as an alternative strategy for modulating such proteins, however they generally suffer from limitations that prevent their progression as clinical candidates, most notably poor cellular permeability.

We work with structures known as CyPeMs (cyclic peptide small molecule hybrids) that have the potential to combine the benefits of both small molecules and cyclic peptides, developing an alternative efficacious modality for currently undruggable targets, opening up new therapies for unmet areas of need. Employing DNA-encoded libraries of CyPeMs, we are currently exploring targets of interest in both antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and neurodegenerative disease (NDD).

Teaching

NES1402 Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry Tutorials

Publications