Coster Group Web Pages

Bioactive Molecule Synthesis Group -

Organic and Medicinal Chemistry / Synthetic Organic Chemistry Research

New Agents for Pancreatic Cancer Treatment Link

The research activities of the group centre on synthetic organic chemistry, including the total synthesis of complex, biologically active natural products, the development of stereoselective synthetic methodology, and the synthesis of compounds with potential therapeutic value. Under the leadership of Dr Mark Coster, the group is based in the new building for the Eskitis Institute for Cell and Molecular Therapies at Griffith University, Nathan Campus (Brisbane, Australia). Flexible synthetic approaches to natural products, allow for the preparation of synthetic analogues and subsequent evaluation of their biological activity, and increased understanding of the mechanism of action.

Research in the Bioactive Molecule Synthesis Group

Research in the group involves: (i) the development of new and general synthetic methodologies with particular emphasis on efficiency and selectivity; (ii) application of these methods to the synthesis of complex, biologically active natural products, and; (iii) design and synthesis of natural product analogues as potential therapeutic agents.

Currently there are projects available for both honours and PhD students, concerning the synthesis of anti-pancreatic cancer compounds as new probes for the study, and possible treatment of this disease, and the design, synthesis and evaluation of chiral hydrogen-bonding organocatalysts.

For further information go to the Group Research pages.

If you are interested in joining the Bioactive Molecule Synthesis Group, then click here.