Abstract
This thesis describes the synthesis of new heterocyclic thiosemicarbazone (TSC)complexes for application in an amperometric biosensor for the detection of prostate
cancer cells. These complexes were created from new ligands synthesised to include
functionalities that would allow the conjugation of targeting peptides. The ligands
successfully synthesised were characterised by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy,
electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and high-performance liquid
chromatography (HPLC); the subsequent metal complexes were characterised by
square wave voltammetry (SWV), ESI-MS and HPLC as well as, where appropriate,
1H NMR spectroscopy and electron pair resonance (EPR).
Chapter 1 is the introduction and will introduce prostate cancer and the current
mortality data, as well as current methods of diagnosis and the pitfalls of these
methods. TSCs will be introduced along with a discussion on their relevance as
therapeutic compounds, and the interest over time in the metal complexes of this class
of ligand. Targeting species will be briefly explained and examples of the common
species used for cellular targeting will be given; the choice of targeting species used
in this thesis will be justified. Finally, the concept of a biosensor will be introduced
along with examples of their employment in modern medicine and their relevance to
cancer.
Chapter 2 describes the synthesis and characterisation of a series of simple TSC
ligands. The ligands are characterised by 1H NMR, ESI-MS and X-ray crystallography
where applicable.
Chapter 3 explains the synthesis of Fe, Cu and Co complexes of the heterocyclic
TSCs and probes their redox potential windows for their applicability to amperometric
biosensing. In and Ga complexes are also synthesised, and their interaction with
prostate cancer (PCa) cells is tested.
Chapter 4 explores different possible methodologies that may be used to modify the
functionalities of the ligands, such that they may be conjugated with a PCa targeting
peptide. The synthesis of two targeting peptides is also described.
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Chapter 5 describes the attempts made to replicate previous results for the
construction and testing of an impedimetric biosensor based on the same targeting
peptide synthesised in chapter 4. This is followed by the attempts to immobilise the
TSC complexes synthesised from the ligands in chapter 4 to an electrode surface for
the construction of the amperometric biosensor.
Chapter 6 is a summary of the results obtained in this thesis, as well as suggestions
for future work to progress this research.
Chapter 7 is the experimental section and provides procedure details for experiments
conducted and compounds synthesised. Characterisation data for synthesised
compounds is listed here.
The Appendix provides selected chemical characterisation data to support the
confirmed synthesis of the products in previous chapters.
| Date of Award | 14 Jan 2026 |
|---|---|
| Original language | English |
| Awarding Institution |
|
| Supervisor | Sofia Pascu (Supervisor), Charareh Pourzand (Supervisor) & Pedro Estrela (Supervisor) |
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