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A major aspect of Expert's research is focused on how to circumvent or exploit resistance mechanisms by the development of tumour-selective agents targeting abnormal enzymatic expression in cancer tissues. He has had a long-standing interest in certain heterocyclic aromatic pharmacophores for development of tumour-selective prodrugs, which work has led to 4 publications, the filing of 4 patents and two licensing deals (Somanta Ltd, Access Pharmaceuticals). Expert has also explored chromophores for the synthesis of DNA probes with unique fluorescence properties with wide applications in routine and research laboratories utilising flow cytometry and fluorescence imaging methods (www.biostatus.com/). At ICT he has been instrumental as a team leader in driving a new research project concerning the development of multistep synthesis of reengineered natural products including the duocarmycins as potential substrates for cytochromes P450 tumour-selective activation (this technology has recently been acquired by Incanthera Ltd (http://www.incanthera.com/). Other research projects concern the function and expression of aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs), aldo-keto reductases (AKRs), and cytochrome P450 enzymes in cancer stem cells and solid tumors.

Over a 10-year period at ICT, Expert has been involved in > £6 million from various sources including pharmaceutical companies, research councils and cancer charities. In 2005/06 he was awarded a Bioscience Yorkshire Enterprise Fellowship, which allowed him to accumulate knowledge on knowledge transfer technology, intellectual property & set up of spin out companies. His network is global and works with experts of international repute in many European countries, China, India and USA. Via the award-winning "Bradford China Science Bridges" (http://www.bradford.ac.uk/science-bridges-china/) he has gained expert knowledge of how to operate in China and has established key links with a number of highly-rated universities in China. He is a member of UK-China Advanced Materials Research Institute (AMRI) http://www.polyeng.com/AMRIJan2013/AMRI/Welcome.html/.

In addition to his research and teaching commitments in drug discovery, he has served as a committee member of the British Association for Cancer Research (BACR) and has for a number of years been involved in AACR's Chemistry in Cancer Research working group; at present he serves as the Chair of the CICR Editorial Board. He is currently visiting professor at the chemical engineering school École Supérieure de Chimie Organique et Minérale (ESCOM, Compiegne, France) and the Department of Science and Drug Technologies, University of Torino (Italy).

In summary, Expert has more than 15 years of experience of working at the chemistry/biological interface including lab experience in synthetic chemistry, cell culture, metabolism investigations & drug interaction studies with DNA or enzymes.

Consultant: Somanta Ltd, Access Pharmaceuticals
(Alchemix and Prodrax technology)
Consultant: Biostatus Ltd
(Molecular fluorescent probes)
Consultant: Incanthera Ltd
(Duocarmycin chemotoxins)