Dr Kate Rowen

Room: PhSc/2.018

Research Interests and Potential Honours Projects

Antiparasitic Drug Discovery

Epichem (a contract synthesis and research and development company based at Murdoch University) in collaboration with the Murdoch University Parasitology Group has a research programme in the development of potential drug treatments for a range of parasitic diseases, including a number of ‘Neglected Diseases’ such as African sleeping sickness, which affect some of the world’s poorest populations.  There is potential for a Murdoch University student to participate in this research as an Honours student.  The aim of the project is the synthesis, purification, characterisation and testing of compounds against a range of parasites for drug activity.

Synthetic/Medicinal Chemistry

Drug molecules can undergo a variety of chemical transformations following ingestion.  An area of interest in pharmaceutical research is the identification and testing of drug metabolites for potential adverse and therapeutic effects.  The best source of drug metabolites for testing is their independent synthesis.  The aim of this project is the development of efficient synthetic methods for drug metabolites of current interest.  This project would be carried out in collaboration with Epichem.

Detection of Chemical Warfare Agent Degradation Products

Alkylphosphonic acids are degradation products of the organophosphate chemical warfare agents.  These compounds are polar and non-volatile making them impossible to analyse by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS), which is the method recommended by the OPCW (Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons).  The OPCW suggests silyl derivatisation of alkylphosphonic acids to form a volatile compound that can be analysed by GCMS.  The aim of the project is the development of techniques for rapid silyl derivatisation of alkylphosphonic acids that circumvent lengthy sample preparation procedures used in the current methods.

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