Prof. Janice Aldrich-Wright

Professor Janice Aldrich-WrightSchool of Science, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Head of the Biologically Active Drugs by Design Group (BADD)
Qualifications
  • B.App.Sc.(Hons) UTS
  • PhD. (Macquarie University)
  • MRACI
Contact DetailsProfessor Janice R. Aldrich-Wright
Nanoscale Organisation and Dynamics Group | School of Science
Campbelltown Campus - Building CA 21.G.43
Western Sydney University
Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751
AUSTRALIA
E-mail: j.aldrich-wright@westernsydney.edu.au
Phone: [+61 2] 4620 3218
Key Wordsanticancer; metallointercalators; biological activity; NMR; platinum
Collaborators (internal)
  • Prof. William S. Price (SoSc)
  • Assoc. Prof. Slade Jensen  (SoM)
  • Assoc. Prof. David Mahns (SoM)
  • Assoc. Prof. Peter Shortland (SoSC)
  • Dr Christopher Gordon (SoSC)
  • Dr Simon Myers (SoSC)
  • Dr Tara Roberts (SoM- Ingham)
  • Dr Kieran Scott ( SoM- Ingham)
  • Dr Mark Temple (SoSC)
Collaborators (external)
  • Prof. J. J. Beck (University of Wollongong)
  • Prof. V. Brabec (Institute of Biophysics, Academy of Sciences, Czech Republic)
  • Prof. D. Gibson (Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel)
  • Prof. T. Hambley (University of Sydney)
  • Prof. A. Rodger (Macquarie University, AUS)
  • Prof. Y. Tor (University of California, USA)
  • Prof. R. Vilar (Imperial College London, UK)
  • Assoc. Prof. I. Greguric (ANSTO)
  • Assoc. Prof. S. Ralph (University of Wollongong)
  • Assoc. Prof. R. Taleb (Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Mount Lebanon, Lebanon)
  • Dr A. Bolhuis (University of Bath, UK)
  • Dr N. Jones (Aarhus University, Denmark)
  • Dr S. Kelly (Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, Glasgow University, UK)


Brief Biography

Research
Significant contributions have been made to the investigation of metal complex-DNA interactions. Work initiated at WSU has demonstrated by 1H NMR, that both Δ- and -Λ[Ru(2,9-phenMe2)2(dpq/dppz)]2+ bind to the oligonucleotide d(GTCGAC)2 by intercalation within the minor groove. These were the first NMR experiments to do so and this finding, while controversial, is significant because the differences in binding of these simple molecules must be well understood if sequence-selective binding by metal complexes is to be realised. The work has influenced researchers to re-investigate the DNA interactions of metallointercalators with a less prejudiced view about the nature and extent of intercalation. The findings of this research were confirmed by X-ray structure analysis for more than one complex of this type in Nature Chemistry in 2012.

Ongoing research and innovative complex design at WSU has resulted in the discovery of a new class of platinum compounds that differ significantly in their mode of action from current clinically used anticancer platinum compound. Antibacterial agents that are more effective against biofilms, than currently used, have also been identified.

Other research conducted at by Janice's group at Western Sydney University has resulted in the discovery of a new group of platinum-based compounds. This new group of compounds are water-soluble and in preliminary testing against cancer cells lines and are showing a very high level of activity.

Publications
Most appear in high profile journals, with more than 3,813 citations  from 119 publications (average citations per article 31.7) and an h-index 33 (Scopus: accessed, Jan 2020). ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6943-6908

Professor Aldrich-Wright has supervised 27 PhD, 15 MSc and 38 Honours students to completion by establishing a dynamic research group. This group is recognised internally at Western Sydney University, and externally both nationally and internationally, as being innovative and extremely productive. All postgraduate students are encouraged to publish as much of their work as possible, before submitting their thesis for examination. In this respect, success has been demonstrated by the number of Published Patents/Book Chapters/Papers (average 4.1) and Conference Papers (average 3.3) per PhD student.

This contribution to graduate research training and supervision has been recognised by the Vice-Chancellor's Excellence Award for Postgraduate Research Training and Supervision in 2009, 2013 and 2020 and the School of Science and Health’s award for Postgraduate Research Training and Supervision 2020.


Professor Janice Rae Aldrich-Wright Profile

Aldrich-Wright, J.R. (Ed), 2011. Metallointercalators; Synthesis and Techniques to probe their interactions with Biomolecules. (opens in a new window) Springer Publications ISBN 978-3-211-0942