Cristina De Matteis
Associate Professor in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Science Communication Fellow, Faculty of Science
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Biography
I am a Chemist by training and obtained both my BSc and PhD from the University of London. My postgraduate research was in the area of electroorganic synthesis, after which I moved into structural organic chemistry, utilizing primarily computational approaches, supported as required by experimental data. I have a wide range of experience in structural chemistry, involving systems varying from small organic molecules, including studies of nitrogen geometry in anilines, to micelle structure in drug delivery systems, and stationary phases in separation science. More recently my work has concentrated on protein/ligand interactions.
Between 1998 and 2004 I worked as a consultant in visual science communication, with a variety of organizations including the BBC, Nesta, EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council) and the RSC (Royal Society of Chemistry). In 1996 I won the Science Communicator Award from the BBSRC (Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council), between 1998 and 1999 I was involved in exhibition design and development at a new Science Centre called Explore in Bristol and between 2001 and 2004 I chaired the Royal Society of Chemistry Committee for Promoting Chemistry to the Public.
Major pieces of work completed during the above period of time, include:
Small Matters, a series of short films highlighting the role of molecules in enjoyment and pleasure, which have been broadcast on BBC television, and exhibited in venues across the UK (www.open2.net/smallmatters);
Lighting-up the Invisible, a collection of interior lighting products exploring molecular shape and architectures, which has been exhibited at the Royal College of Art, London and at 100% Design Earls Court, London (www.nesta.org.uk/ourawardees/profiles/1406/print.htm);
Sense-ational, an exhibition of photographs showing the role of molecules in everyday life, which has been exhibited at venues across the UK, including the Royal Society of Chemistry, Burlington House, London (www.chemsoc.org/chembytes/gallery/sensational/sense.htm).
Research Summary
My research interests focus on the study of proteins and their interactions using both experimental and computational techniques. These studies range from exploring how proteins crystallize, and how… read more
Recent Publications
DUFOUR, MARINE, YAN, CHAO, SIEGEL, DAVID, COLUCCI, MARIE A, JENNER, MATTHEW, OLDHAM, NEIL J, GOMEZ, JOE, REIGAN, PHILIP, LI, YAZHUO, DE MATTEIS, CRISTINA I, ROSS, DAVID and MOODY, CHRISTOPHER J, 2011. Mechanism-based inhibition of quinone reductase 2 (NQO2): selectivity for NQO2 over NQO1 and structural basis for flavoprotein inhibition. Chembiochem : a European journal of chemical biology. 12(8), 1203-8
DE MATTEIS, CRISTINA I, SIMPSON, DAVID A, DOUGHTY, STEPHEN W, EUERBY, MELVIN R, SHAW, P NICHOLAS and BARRETT, DAVID A, 2010. Chromatographic retention behaviour of n-alkylbenzenes and pentylbenzene structural isomers on porous graphitic carbon and octadecyl-bonded silica studied using molecular modelling and QSRR. Journal of chromatography. A. 1217(44), 6987-93 ABUKHADER, MAJED M, HEAP, JOHN, DE MATTEIS, CRISTINA I, DOUGHTY, STEPHEN W, MINTON, NIGEL and PAOLI, MAX, 2007. Crystallization and preliminary X-ray characterization of the Bacillus amyloliquefaciens YwrO enzyme. Acta Crystallographica. Section F: Structural Biology and Crystallization Communications Online. 63(Pt 9), 746-50
Current Research
My research interests focus on the study of proteins and their interactions using both experimental and computational techniques. These studies range from exploring how proteins crystallize, and how their crystallization can be improved, to studies of ligand binding to enzymes, including an exploration of chemical mechanism at the active site. My work utilizes a combination of experimental techniques, including X-ray crystallography, and NMR spectroscopy and computational approaches, including virtual screening.
Current studies include structural and mechanistic studies of the oxido-reductase flavoprotein quinone reductase 2 (NQO2), in collaboration with Max Paoli. Recent crystallographic work has allowed the structure of NQO2 in complex with the cytotoxic prodrug CB1954 to be solved.
Computational studies of protein-ligand interactions are being carried out in an attempt to identify novel ligands that are able to inhibit important protein-protein interactions. This work, in collaboration with Peter Fischer and Lodewijk Dekker, seeks to use structure based drug design to identify novel anti-cancer agents.
Recent work in the area of protein crystallization, and its improvement, has concentrated on the effect of surfaces in this process. This work, in collaboration with Jonas Emsley, Morgan Alexander, and Cameron Alexander looks at both the chemical and topographical effect of surfaces on the crystallization of proteins.
Memberships of Committees and Professional Bodies
• Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry• Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry Committee for The Promotion of Chemistry to the Public
Teaching
• Practical Pharmaceutical Chemistry• Pharmaceutical and Biological Chemistry 1• Pharmaceutical and Biological Chemistry 2• Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Design 1