Overview
Topic status: We're looking for students to study this topic.
Project Summary
Many diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis, involve deterioration of neurons or their myelin sheath. Oxidative stress, caused by the production of highly reactive oxygen species (ROS) which overwhelm the body’s antioxidant defences, plays a key role in diseases associated with neurodegeneration. Significant efforts have already been directed towards the use of radical scavengers and antioxidants in preventative and therapeutic strategies to treat neurodegenerative disorders. Nitroxides, for example, are commonly used as potent antioxidants in biological systems. Their antioxidant and electron-scavenging properties are combined within a single functional moiety which can reduce the levels of oxidative stress in cellular systems caused by ROS.
The objectives of this research are to synthesise and evaluate new potential antioxidants which combine nitroxides with well known dietary antioxidants for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
Expected outcomes, applications and/or benefits
The expected outcome form this work is that new molecules are prepared and tested for use as antioxidants in diseases involving oxidative stress.
Students will gain synthetic skills in organic chemistry and chromatography and instrumental experience with compound characterisation (NMR, MS, IR, fluorescence, UV/vis etc).
Required student skills/experience
Students require a minimum GPA of 5.5 and should have at least be undertaking a minor in chemistry during their undergraduate degree. Students with interests in organic chemistry are preferred. 6-12 week project from November 2012 to January 2013.
- Study level
- Vacation research experience scholarship
- Supervisors
- QUT
- Organisational unit
Science and Engineering Faculty
- Research area
- Keywords
- antioxidants, neurons
- Contact
- Contact the supervisor for more information
Dr Kathryn Fairfull-Smith
