The University of Leeds will be hosting a full week of crystal science and engineering from the 25th June through to Friday 1st July encompassing the 12th International Workshop on the Crystal Growth of Organic Materials, the 48th Annual Conference of the British Association for Crystal Growth, an Inaugural Symposium on the Digital Design of Drug Products and a PhD Student Research Event. See: http://www.crystalgrowth2016.co.uk/
As part of the week’s outreach programme three evening lectures are available to university members and the general public. These will be held in the Rupert Becket Lecture Theatre and there will be no charge to attend these.
Register your attendance at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-summer-week-of-crystal-science-at-the-university-of-leeds-tickets-26096169345
Tuesday 21st June, 17.30-18.30
Malaria Pigment Crystallization in Infected Red Blood Cells in Relation to the Mechanistic Action of Antimalarial Quinolone Drugs
Leslie Leiserowitz (Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel)
In 2015, there were 214 million new cases of Malaria worldwide resulting in a half million deaths. The WHO reports that half the world’s population (3.2 billion people) are at risk from the disease. Malaria, transmitted to humans through the bite of the Anopheles mosquito carrying the parasites of the Plasmodium genus. This parasite invades red blood cells (RBCs) and feeds on hemoglobin, releasing heme as a byproduct, which is poisonous to the parasite. The heme is detoxified by the parasite by its sequestration into hemozoin crystals. Novel Quinolone-based drugs which can inhibit the hemozoin crystallization process and thus poison the parasite have enormous potential and the lecture will review recent research in this important area.
Wednesday 22nd June, 17.30-18.30
The Synthesis and Solid State Pharmaceutical Centre: The Journey so Far
Kieran Hodnett (Director, Synthesis and Solid State Pharmaceutical Centre)
The mission of the Synthesis and Solid State Pharmaceutical Centre (SSPC) is part of the drive to position Ireland as a global hub for process innovation and advanced manufacturing in the pharmaceutical industry. The overarching objective of the research programme is to better understand mechanisms, control processes and predict outcomes for the efficient and environmentally sustainable production of safe medicines. This lecture will present the Director’s insight into the development of the SSPC since its inception in 2008, its key achievements and future directions.
Thursday 23rd June, 17.30-18.30
The Future of Medicines Manufacturing: Towards Digital Design
Tommy Dolan (Pfizer Global R&D, Sandwich, Kent)
The UK’s medicines industry is a leading player within the life sciences sector with £31bn turnover and £24bn exports in 2013. Designing novel medicinal products, however has lagged behind other sectors and transformational changes in healthcare such as personalised medicines, changing patient expectations and digital approaches place the industry at a crossroads. In add to these changes, we will examine collaborative opportunities between government, national centres, industry and academia provides in helping ensure the UK continues to play a leadership role in next generation manufacturing for pharmaceutical drug design.