Dr. Jim A. Thomas

Biographical Sketch

Dr. Thomas obtained a BSc in Chemistry from the University of Reading in 1982 and a PhD from the University of Birmingham in 1993. After his PhD he became a Royal Society European Exchange Fellow at the Universite Louis Pasteur in Strasbourg in 1993, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Sheffield in 1994. In 1995 he was appointed as a Royal Society University Research Fellow. In 2004 he was appointed lecturer and promoted to senior lecturer (2007) and reader (2010).

Research Keywords

Coordination chemistry, self-assembly, molecular recognition, sensors for anions, and bioanions , in cellular probes and therapeutics.

Teaching Keywords

Environmental Chemistry; Transition Metal Chemistry

Selected Publications:

Structure of the Complex of [Ru(tpm)(dppz)py](2+) with a B-DNA Oligonucleotide-A Single-Substituent Binding Switch for a Metallo-Intercalatar, P. Waywell, V. Gonzalez, M. R. Gill, H. Adams, A. J. H. M. Meijer, M. P. Williamson and J. A. Thomas, Chem-Eur J 2010, 16, 2407-2417.
A ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complex for direct imaging of DNA structure in living cells, M. R. Gill, J. Garcia-Lara, S. J. Foster, C. Smythe, G. Battaglia and J. A. Thomas Nat Chem 2009, 1, 662-667.
Kinetically locked luminescent metallomacrocycles as duplex DNA binding substrates, D. Ghosh, H. Ahmad and J. A. Thomas, Chem Commun 2009, 2947-2949.
A multifunctional light switch: DNA binding and cleavage properties of a heterobimetallic ruthenium-rhenium dipyridophenazine complex, S. P. Foxon, T. Phillips, M. R. Gill, M. Towrie, A. W. Parker, M. Webb and J. A. Thomas, Angew Chem Int Edit 2007, 46, 3686-3688.

Research Interests

My group is particularly interested in using photochemically and/or electrochemically active metal centres to produce functional molecular architectures. Most of our work is inspired in some way by biological systems. For example, by using a combination of hydrogen and coordination bonding we are investigating the metal-ion directed self-assembly of hosts and sensors for anions, bioanions and biomolecules. Using a similar approach we are creating hosts that function as molecular devices such as ion-gated switches. Finally, we are very interested at the way oligonuclear luminescent coordination complexes interact with biomolecules such as DNA. This work includes in cellulo studies aimed at identifying new optical imaging probes with multiple output modalities and also potential novel therapeutic leads.

Complete List of Publications

Teaching Section

Inorganic Chemistry

Undergraduate Courses Taught

Environmental Inorganic Chemistry (Year 2)
The aim of this segment is to outline the ecological role of the inorganic components of the environment. This course will consider the effect of both natural and anthrogenic (man-made) substances on the environment
Advanced coordination chemistry (Year 3)
The aim of this segment is to outline how the coordination chemistry and physical properties of transition metals can be controlled and tuned through the use of specifically designed ligands.
Supramolecular Chemistry 2 (Year 4)
Using examples from the recent literature, this segment introduces the concepts and key interactions used in “chemistry beyond the molecule.”
Metals in Medicine (Year 4)
This course will be introduce and discuss coordination complexes that function as basic biotechnological tools. The use of inorganic compounds in a variety of different medical applications will be discussed; from medical imaging through chemotherapy to uses as treatments for several different chronic diseases.

Tutorial & Workshop Support

First Year General Tutorials.
Second Year Inorganic Chemistry Tutorials.
Second Year Workshops.
Third Year Workshops.
Third Year Literature Review.
Fourth Year Workshops.

Laboratory Teaching

Third Year Advanced Practical Chemistry Techniques
Fourth Year Research Project.