| University of Dundee, UK

Research

Wed, 10/09/2025 - 14:00

Wed, 10/09/2025 - 15:00

Host : Professor Alessio Ciulli

Venue: MSI Small Lecture Theatre, SLS

Abstract

DNA-encoded libraries are becoming widely established as a hit-finding methodology. They allow screening of large numbers of compounds by affinity selection. Currently their use is limited by the range of chemistries that are available for their synthesis. The talk will describe our approach to improve the synthetic methods for their construction, in particular with the use of micellar catalysis to promote aqueous chemistry and protect DNA. It will also cover novel applications of the technology in fragment expansion.

Bio:

Currently: Chair of Medicinal Chemistry at Newcastle University, Head of Chemistry for the Cancer Research UK Newcastle Drug Discovery Unit, Director of Academic Medicinal Chemistry for Cancer Research Horizons, Editor-in-Chief RSC Medicinal Chemistry.

Previously: worked at AstraZeneca (2001-2015) as Principal Scientist. Worked mainly in the areas of diabetes and oncology and his work has led to the discovery of 14 drug candidates, including the marketed EGFR inhibitor osimertinib (Tagrisso™).

Research interests: property-based optimisation, covalent inhibition, new methods of hit generation inc fragments and DNA-encoded libraries.

Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation

Yes

Medical Sciences Institute (MSI)

CeTPD External Seminar In-Person Only by Professor Mike Waring, University of Newcastle

Staff United Kingdom

Jainti Dass Saggar Memorial scholarship (2026/27)

Read more about Jainti Dass Saggar Memorial scholarship (2026/27)

Fri, 28/08/2026 - 23:59

£5,000

1 year only

Undergraduate

Mon, 21/09/2026 - 09:00

International India

Eligibility

The University of Dundee is proud to announce that we are awarding the Jainti Dass Saggar Memorial Scholarship. This is available to any Indian domiciled student who wishes to study for an undergraduate degree in any subject starting in 2026-27, there is one award available.

In order to be considered to apply for the award, the applicant must meet the following criteria:

studying an Undergraduate programme in any of the University of Dundee’s Academic Schools in September 2026
be of Indian domicile.
have firmly accepted our offer of a place to study with us
submit an application form for the award

This scholarship which will be awarded to an Indian domiciled student who wishes to study for an undergraduate degree in any subject starting in September 2026. The winner of the scholarship will receive a fee reduction of up to £5,000.

The scholarship is named to honour one of the University of Dundee’s early Indian students who went on to use his education to help transform the lives of people living in the city of Dundee. Born in northern India (1898) he transferred his medical studies to the Medical School in Dundee and graduated in 1923.

Subsequently, he became a local GP and proceeded to gain diplomas in ophthalmic medicine, public health, and surgery. He served on the Boards of various education and welfare bodies and was elected Town Councillor in 1936. He served the city of Dundee as a Councillor for eighteen years until his death in 1954.

On his death, the Lord Provost of Dundee, William Hughes, said: 'He was a man of compassion for everyone in need…he came to Dundee from halfway across the world but no son of Dundee had greater love for its people or worked harder in their interest. Dundee is much poorer by his passing'. His contribution to the city was also marked a Dundee street being named in his memory.

Do I need to apply?

Yes, in order to be considered for this award you must submit an application including a (brief) personal statement.

Applicants who have been offered a place and have accepted that offer will be contacted after 1st of July when an application form will be available (with guidance as to what is required).

Application should be submitted by the 29 August 2025, only shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview.

Decisions on the recipient of the Scholarship will be made upon completion of all interviews and the successful applicant will be notified by 10 September 2025

There is only one scholarship available.

"Implementing responsible research data stewardship for the whole genome sequencing of bacteria"

Read more about "Implementing responsible research data stewardship for the whole genome sequencing of bacteria"

Seminar

Research

Thu, 11/09/2025 - 13:00

Thu, 11/09/2025 - 14:00

Host: Dr Dan Neill

Abstract

The sequencing of bacterial genomes has been crucial in our understanding of infectious disease pathogenesis and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Bacterial whole genome sequencing (WGS) is an important analysis tool, which provides the framework for understanding the characteristics of a particular bacterial strain. The significance of obtaining complete bacterial genomes was demonstrated by the acquisition of the first WGS of the largest bacterial genome, which was acquired for the clinical Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PAO1. Sequencing and analysing this genome in such detail, provided valuable insights into the genetic diversity and vast functional characteristics of this important human pathogen, and provided an insight on the association between genome size and genetic complexity. The success and precision of the PAO1 sequencing project resulted in the development of the open source Pseudomonas Genome Database, which continues to provide a high quality, annotated genome library for the bacterial research community.

Appropriate stewardship is necessary throughout the whole research lifecycle to accurately conduct high-quality bacterial genomics investigations. The best approaches for implementing responsible research data stewardship for the WGS of bacteria are reviewed in this work. It discusses the application of the FAIR Principles to the selection and use of:

DNA extraction techniques and sequencing technologies,
assembly methods and annotation standards,
appropriate reference genomes,
bioinformatics tools,
analysis platforms and data storage,
metadata collection and,
suitable sequencing data repositories.

This work aims to support the bacterial research community to maximise the potential value of WGS data for the investigation of infectious disease pathogenesis and AMR.

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 321 187 089 148 0

Passcode: RR3df3N3

Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology

Yes

MMB ONLINE SEMINAR by Dr Angharad Green University College London

Staff United Kingdom