Prof Rick Cosstick BSc, PhD
Professor Chemistry
- +44 (0)151 794 3503
- Work email Rcosstic@liverpool.ac.uk
Research
Research Interests
Research Highlights
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the permanent repository of genetic information and the acquired understanding of the structure and function of DNA and the related RNA (ribonucleic acid), represent one of the greatest ever triumphs for chemistry and biology. It is not surprising that most of the licensed antiviral drugs (e.g. Zovirax and AZT) and many anticancer drugs are nucleoside analogues which are able to interfere with nucleic acid biosynthesis in a selective manner. Additionally, much of the recent information on the structure/function relationship of nucleic acids has come from using DNA/RNA probes that contain a subtle chemical modification. Present work within the group is concerned with studies on the synthesis of novel nucleic acids analogues as both potential therapeutic agents and as probes for understanding the precise mechanism by which nucleic acids fulfill their biological functions.
Research Group Membership
Research Grants
Next generation DNA synthesis
BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL
January 2015 - April 2016
Oligonucleotides Containing Phosphorothiolate Linkages: Synthesis and Applications.
BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL
May 2003 - August 2006
Acquisition of single crystal diffractometer with CCD detector.
ENGINEERING & PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL
October 2000 - October 2003
2'-C-Functionalised olignucleotides: ribozymes antisense and directed evolution.
BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL
January 1998 - September 2002
Increasing the Potency of RNA Interference Using RNA Mimics
ENGINEERING & PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL
October 2007 - April 2010
Investigating nitration-damaged DNA using a mimic of 8-nitro-2'-deoxyguanosine
ENGINEERING & PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL
January 2010 - August 2013
Research Collaborations
Prof Aiden Doherty
External: The University of Sussex
Search for DNA repair proteins that correct the 8-nitroguanine lesion in DNA
Prof Steven Bell
External: Queens University Belfast
Detection of DNA lesions by SERRS