Gale Research Group
Professor Phil Gale
Phil Gale was born in Woolton, Liverpool and grew up attending Gateacre Community Comprehensive School. He moved to the University of Oxford where he received a BA (Hons) in 1992 and a MA and DPhil in 1995. In 1995, he moved to the University of Texas at Austin where he spent two years as a Fulbright Scholar before returning to Oxford in 1997 as a Royal Society University Research Fellow.
In 1999 he moved as a Lecturer to the University of Southampton and was promoted through the ranks to a Personal Chair in Supramolecular Chemistry in 2007. From 2010-2016 Phil was the Head of Chemistry at Southampton. In 2014 he was awarded a Doctor of Science degree by the University of Oxford.
In 2017 he moved to the University of Sydney as Head of School (Chemistry) and in October 2020 took on the role of Associate Dean (International) in the Faculty of Science.
Since January 2023, he has served as the Deputy Dean of Science at The University of Technology Sydney.
Phil's Twitter
Anion Recognition and Transport
The Gale Group operates in the sphere of supramolecular chemistry, where we exploit reversible interactions that can form between suitable small molecules and negatively charged species.
Anions are extremely prevalent in the industrial environment, while also playing key roles biologically in many homeostatic processes.
We focus on using small organic molecules synthesised in our laboratory to complex anions and control their movement across cell membranes, with future application in the treatment of disease. Additionally, we design systems capable of sensing and extracting anions from contaminated sources.
Therapeutics for Channelopathies
- The cellular transport of anions such as chloride, phosphate and bicarbonate is vital to maintain the electrochemical gradients responsible for regulating several metabolic processes, as well as electrical signalling in nerves and muscles.
- This transport is predominantly facilitated by proteins which span the lipid bilayer and create a hydrophilic channel into the cellular environment.
- Defects in the operation of these channels can limit the movement of anions, and result in several debilitating and life-altering diseases, known collectively as channelopathies.
We aim to develop small organic molecules which solely transport anions (uniport), and can be used therapeutically to replace faulty ion channels.
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Anti-Cancer Agents
- Cancer is a leading cause of death in Australia, with an estimated 50,000 deaths from cancer in 2019.
- Small molecules that transport an anion and a proton simultaneously (symport) can disrupt pH gradients across cell membranes and increase cellular ion concentrations.
- We have shown that these processes can lead to apoptosis in cancer cells, and promote autophagy by affecting lysosomal pH.
Our current research in this area is focussed on developing these compounds so they are targeted towards cancer cells, and to control their release within biological systems.
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Materials for Anion Capture
- Contamination of water sources and waste streams with anions is a pressing global issue.
- Phosphate and nitrate run-off from farming causes harmful eutrophication of rivers, and sulfate interferes with processes required for safe long-term storage of nuclear waste.
- Supramolecular systems can be used to bind to anionic contaminants and extract them from aqueous solutions.
We are exploring the formation of higher-order aggregates between planar macrocycles and anionic species as a mode of strong complexation and extraction from water.
Current Group Members
Dr Daniel mcNaughton
Dan was born in Liverpool, UK, and completed his MChem at Wadham College, University of Oxford, under the supervision of Professor Paul Beer. He moved to the University of Sydney in 2018 to start a PhD in the Gale Group and focused on improving the activity and deliverability of novel anionophores. Having submitted his thesis in 2021, Dan is now exploring the potential of anionophores as anti-cancer agents.
Alex Gilchrist
Alex completed his Honours project in the Gale group working on a novel series of tetrapodal anionophores and has continued this work into his PhD by examining the effects of fluorination on the activity of this series. Outside of the lab Alex is an aquarium aficionado and lover of all things geological.
Patrick Wang
Patrick completed his Honours project in the Gale group under the supervision of Dr Xin Wu, preparing a novel series of carbazole bis-ureas and testing the anion transport activity. He is now working on a various metal-complex scaffolds for use as anionophores. Patrick enjoys karate and rock climbing in and around Sydney.
Raed M. Maklad
Raed graduated from Minia University in Egypt with a BSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences (2013) and an MSc in Organic Chemistry (2017). His academic career has been strengthened by his experience working as a research assistant at Zewail City of Science and Technology, and afterwards at Kafrelsheikh University. Raed is a PhD candidate in Gale's group at the University of Sydney's School of Chemistry. His multidisciplinary PhD thesis will involve medicinal chemistry and supramolecular chemistry.
Elba Feo
Elba is from London, UK, and completed her MChem at Worcester College, University of Oxford, under the supervision of Professor Matthew Langton. She is a PhD candidate in the Gale group, working on subcellular targeted anionophores. In her spare time Elba can be found outside reading.
Past Group Members in Academia
Prof. Jennifer Hiscock
Jennifer completed her PhD in the Gale Group in 2010. She is now a Professor at the University of Kent and the chair of the international Women in Supramolecular Chemistry (WISC) network.
Dr Nathalie Busschaert
Nathalie was born in Antwerp, Belgium, and completed her PhD in the Gale group in 2014. She is currently an assistant professor at Tulane University, New Orleans, researching ion transport and medical applications of supramolecular systems.
Dr Roberto Quesada
Roberto is an academic researcher at the University of Burgos, Spain, after previously completing a postdoctoral appointment in the Gale group. His research focuses on supramolecular chemistry and the biological application of these interactions.
Dr Claudia Caltagirone
Claudia is an Associate Professor at the University of Cagliari, Italy, and was part of the Gale group from 2006-2008 as a visiting academic. Her main research interest is the design of molecular chemosensors for anions and cations.
Dr Cally Haynes
Cally completed her PhD in the Gale group in 2009, before working as a PDRA in the Gale Group and the Nitschke group at the University of Cambridge. She is a new lecturer at UCL, researching biosupramolecular chemistry
Dr Xin Wu
Xin was awarded his PhD with the Gale group in 2016 and travelled with the group to Sydney. He is now an ARC DECRA fellow at the University of Queensland, looking at the design of macrocycles and polymers to selectively bind and remove toxic anions from water.
Dr Lauren Macreadie
Lauren completed her PhD at the CSIRO in 2016 and joined the Gale group in 2020 to work as an PDRA. She is now at ARC DECRA fellow at the University of Sydney focussing on MOFs as functional energy materials.
Dr Gareth Bates
Gareth completed his PhD in the Gale group in 2008. He is now a Senior Lecturer in Teacher Education (Science specialism) at the University of Bedfordshire.
Dr William Ryder
Billy completed his PhD with the group at Sydney in 2024. He now works for Prof. Elizabeth New leading investigations into organelle-targeting fluorescent sensors and anion transporters.
Gale Group Graduates and Past Members
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We have moved to the new organic synthesis lab at UTS and are always looking for new students, collaborations and volunteers! We have funding for PhD positions open to AUS and NZ domestic students.
If you are interested in supramolecular chemistry, organic synthesis, or developing anti-cancer agents at the University of Technology Sydney, drop us a message.
Email Address
galeuts@gmail.com
Mailing Address
Building 4, Science (CB04), 745 Harris Street, University of Technology Sydney,
NSW 2007
