david thomas

I carried out Solution and Solid-Phase synthesis of amino-acid derivatives, peptides and peptide isosteres. Then I moved on to work on structural analysis by multi-dimensional NMR of amino-acids, peptides and proteins.

The company carried out Contract Synthesis to cGMP for a wide variety of clients including government agencies, pharmaceutical companies and the silicon-wafer fabrication industry. We specialised in handling very aggressive chemicals on a medium scale {to 1,000Kg}. Examples include preparation of alkenyl & alkynyl lithiums, preparation of organo-titaniums, quaternization of alkyl- and aryl-amines using dimethyl sulphate & Raney Nickel reductions using hydrazine.

Prior to its purchase and subsequent closure by a European rival it was the leading UK company carrying out the commercial total synthesis of DNA & RNA products. I prepared various functionalised monomers which were elaborated into labelled oligonucleotides by solid-phase synthesis.

Biochrom Ltd., part of the Harvard Biosciences group, is the world's leading manufacturer of dedicated instruments for performing Amino-Acid Analysis. The principle use of this equipment is in the diagnosis and monitoring of life-threatening metabolic disorders, particularly in the newborn. I work on improving both the equipment and the associated chemicals needed to operate them. The company also manufactures a wide range of laboratory equipment used in the life-sciences area.

Part II and Doctoral work carried out in the Dyson Perrins Laboratory [Organic Chemistry] under the supervision of Dr. John H. Jones. Amino-acid & peptide chemistry, chromatography.