Helen Osborn

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+44 (0) 118 378 7338
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Professor of Biomedicinal Chemistry
- Deputy Head of School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy
- Department Director of Academic Tutoring
Areas of interest
Professor Osborn’s research interests focus on the development of new chemical and enzymatic methods for the treatment of life threatening diseases.
Within her current research programmes, particular emphasis is placed on the synthesis and biological analysis of enzyme activated prodrugs, for the selective treatment of cancer and bacterial infections, and carbohydrate based therapeutics, for the treatment of AIDS, cancer and influenza.
She has an established reputation for the development of selective treatments for metastatic melanoma, with prodrugs that have been examined in these studies receiving International patent protection. She also has long term interests in the development of anti-infective agents, glycosidase enzyme inhibitors, anti-viral agents and personalised medicines.
Professional bodies/affiliations
Professional affiliations:
- Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry
- Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
- Pharmaceutical Scientist Member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society
Publications
- Mitry, M. , Boateng, S. , Greco, F. , Osborn, H. (2023) Bioorthogonal activation of prodrugs, for the potential treatment of breast cancer, using the Staudinger reaction. RSC Medicinal Chemistry ISSN: 2632-8682 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1039/D3MD00137G
- Mitry, M. , Greco, F. , Osborn, H. (2023) In vivo applications of bioorthogonal reactions- chemistry and targeting mechanisms. Chemistry - A European Journal , 29 (20). ISSN: 0947-6539 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/chem.202203942
- Khater, M. , Brazier, J. , Greco, F. , Osborn, H. (2023) Anticancer evaluation of new organometallic ruthenium(II) flavone complexes. Medicinal Chemistry , 14 (2). pp. 253-267. ISSN: 2632-8682 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1039/D2MD00304J
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Trinh, D.
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Radlinskaite, M.
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Cheeseman, J.
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Kuhnle, G.
ORCID: 0000-0002-8081-8931 , Osborn, H. , Meleady, P. , Spencer, D. , Monopoli, M. (2022) Biomolecular corona stability in association with plasma cholesterol level. Nanomaterials , 12 (15). ISSN: 2079-4991 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/nano12152661
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Khater, M.
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Watson, K.
ORCID: 0000-0002-9987-8539 , Boateng, S. , Greco, F. , Osborn, H. (2022) Halogenated flavonoid derivatives display antiangiogenic activity. Molecules , 27 (15). ISSN: 1420-3049 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/molecules27154757
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Donmez, S.
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Needs, S.
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Osborn, H.
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Reis, N.
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Edwards, A.
ORCID: 0000-0003-2369-989X (2022) Label-free 1D microfluidic dipstick counting of microbial colonies and bacteriophage plaques. Lab on a Chip , 22 (15). pp. 2820-2831. ISSN: 1473-0197 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1039/d2lc00280a
- Hutchins, M. , Bovill, R. , Stephens, P. , Brazier, J. , Osborn, H. (2022) Glycosides of nadifloxacin—synthesis and antibacterial activities against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Molecules , 27 (5). ISSN: 1420-3049 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/molecules27051504
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Albadawi, D.
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Ravishankar, D.
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Vallance, T.
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Patel, K.
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Osborn, H.
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Vaiyapuri, S.
ORCID: 0000-0002-6006-6517 (2022) Impacts of commonly used edible plants on the modulation of platelet function. International Journal of Molecular Sciences , 23 (2). ISSN: 1422-0067 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijms23020605
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Dodd, A.
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Natfji, A.
ORCID: 0000-0002-6168-4632 , Evangelinos, A. , Grigoletto, A. , Pasut, G. , Beards, F. , Renshall, L. , Osborn, H. , Greco, F. , Harris, L. (2022) Conjugation to PEG as a strategy to limit the uptake of drugs by the placenta: potential applications for drug administration in pregnancy. Molecular Pharmaceutics , 19 (1). pp. 345-353. ISSN: 1543-8392 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.1c00498
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Cheeseman, J.
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Badia, C.
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Thomson, R.
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Kuhnle, G.
ORCID: 0000-0002-8081-8931 , Gardner, R. , Spencer, D. , Osborn, H. (2022) Quantitative standards of 4-O acetyl and 9-O acetyl N-acetyl neuraminic acid for the analysis of plasma and serum. ChemBioChem , 23 (5). ISSN: 1439-7633 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cbic.202100662
- Dawood, D. , Srour, A. , Saleh, D. , Huff, K. , Greco, F. , Osborn, H. (2021) New pyridine and chromene scaffolds as potent vasorelaxant and anticancer agents. RSC Advances , 11 pp. 29441-29452. ISSN: 2046-2069 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1039/D1RA04758B
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Cheeseman, J.
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Kuhnle, G.
ORCID: 0000-0002-8081-8931 , Stafford, G. , Gardner, R. , Spencer, D. , Osborn, H. (2021) Sialic acid as a potential biomarker for cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. Biomarkers in Medicine , 15 (11). pp. 911-928. ISSN: 1752-0363 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.2217/bmm-2020-0776
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Needs, S.
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Osborn, H.
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Edwards, A.
ORCID: 0000-0003-2369-989X (2021) Counting bacteria in microfluidic devices: smartphone compatible ‘dip-and-test’ viable cell quantitation using resazurin amplified detection in microliter capillary arrays. Journal of Microbiological Methods , 187 ISSN: 0167-7012 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mimet.2021.106199
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Cheeseman, J.
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Kuhnle, G.
ORCID: 0000-0002-8081-8931 , Spencer, D. , Osborn, H. (2021) Assays for the identification and quantification of sialic acids: challenges, opportunities and future perspectives. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry , 30 ISSN: 0968-0896 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bmc.2020.115882
- Khater, M. , Greco, F. , Osborn, H. (2020) Antiangiogenic activity of flavonoids: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Molecules , 25 (20). ISSN: 1420-3049 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/molecules25204712
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Needs, S.
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Donmez, S.
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Bull, S.
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McQuaid, C.
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Osborn, H.
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Edwards, A.
ORCID: 0000-0003-2369-989X (2020) Challenges in microfluidic and point-of-care phenotypic antimicrobial resistance tests. Frontiers in Mechanical Engineering , 6 ISSN: 2297-3079 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmech.2020.00073
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Dönmez, S.
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Needs, S.
ORCID: 0000-0003-3407-9637 , Osborn, H. , Edwards, A.
ORCID: 0000-0003-2369-989X (2020) Label-free smartphone quantitation of bacteria by darkfield imaging of light scattering in fluoropolymer micro capillary film allows portable detection of bacteriophage lysis. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical , 323 pp. 128645. ISSN: 0925-4005 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2020.128645
- Natfji, A. , Nikitin, D. , Semina, I. , Moustafine, R. , Khutoryanskiy, V. , Lin, H. , Stephens, G. , Watson, K. , Osborn, H. , Greco, F. (2020) Conjugation of haloperidol to PEG allows peripheral localisation of haloperidol and eliminates CNS extrapyramidal effects. Journal of Controlled Release , 322 pp. 227-235. ISSN: 0168-3659 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jconrel.2020.02.037
- Khater, M. , Ravishankar, D. , Greco, F. , Osborn, H. (2019) Metal complexes of flavonoids: their synthesis, characterization, and enhanced anti-oxidant and anti-cancer activities. Future Medicinal Chemistry , 11 (21). ISSN: 1756-8927 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.4155/fmc-2019-0237
- Vallance, T. , Ravishankar, D. , Albadawi, D. , Osborn, H. , Vaiyapuri, S. (2019) Synthetic flavonoids as novel modulators of platelet function and thrombosis. International Journal of Molecular Sciences , 20 (12). ISSN: 1422-0067 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijms20123106
- Howse, G. , Bovill, R. , Stephens, P. , Osborn, H. (2019) Synthesis and antibacterial profiles of targeted triclosan derivatives. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry , 162 pp. 51-58. ISSN: 0223-5234 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.10.053
- Brown, G. , Bauer, J. , Osborn, H. , Kuemmerle, R. (2018) A solution NMR approach to determine the chemical structures of carbohydrates using the hydroxyl groups as starting points. ACS Omega , 3 (12). pp. 17957-17975. ISSN: 2470-1343 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.8b02136
- Ravishankar, D. , Salamah, M. , Akimbaev, A. , Williams, H. , Albadawi, D. , Vaiyapuri, R. , Greco, F. , Osborn, H. , Vaiyapuri, S. (2018) Impact of specific functional groups in flavonoids on the modulation of platelet activation. Scientific Reports , 8 ISSN: 2045-2322 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-27809-z
- Natfji, A. , Osborn, H. , Greco, F. (2017) Feasibility of polymer-drug conjugates for non-cancer applications. Current Opinion in Colloid & Interface Science , 31 pp. 51-66. ISSN: 1359-0294 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cocis.2017.07.004
- Natfji, A. , Ravishankar, D. , Osborn, H. , Greco, F. (2017) Parameters affecting the enhanced permeability and retention effect: the need for patient selection. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences , 106 (11). pp. 3179-3187. ISSN: 0022-3549 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.xphs.2017.06.019
- Ravishankar, D. , Salamah, M. , Attina, A. , Pothi, R. , Vallance, T. , Javed, M. , Williams, H. , Alzahrani, E. , Kabova, E. , Vaiyapuri, R. , Shankland, K. , Gibbins, J. , Strohfeldt, K. , Greco, F. , Osborn, H. , Vaiyapuri, S. (2017) Ruthenium-conjugated chrysin analogues modulate platelet activity, thrombus formation and haemostasis with enhanced efficacy. Scientific Reports , 7 ISSN: 2045-2322 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-05936-3
- Thomson, R. , Gardner, R. , Strohfeldt, K. , Fernandes, D. , Stafford, G. , Spencer, D. , Osborn, H. (2017) Analysis of three epoetin alpha products by LC and LC-MS indicates differences in glycosylation critical quality attributes, including sialic acid content. Analytical Chemistry , 89 (12). pp. 6455-6462. ISSN: 0003-2700 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.analchem.7b00353
- Heath, F. , Newman, A. , Clementi, C. , Pasut, G. , Lin, H. , Stephens, G. , Whalley, B. , Osborn, H. , Greco, F. (2016) A novel PEG–haloperidol conjugate with a non-degradable linker shows the feasibility of using polymer–drug conjugates in a non-prodrug fashion. Polymer Chemistry , 7 (47). pp. 7204-7210. ISSN: 1759-9954 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1039/c6py01418f
- Ravishankar, D. , Corona, G. , Hogan, S. , Spencer, J. , Greco, F. , Osborn, H. (2016) Thioflavones as novel neuroprotective agents. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry , 24 (21). pp. 5513-5520. ISSN: 0968-0896 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bmc.2016.09.006
- Ravishankar, D. , Watson, K. , Greco, F. , Osborn, H. (2016) Novel synthesised flavone derivatives provide significant insight into the structural features required for enhanced anti-proliferative activity. RSC Advances , 6 (69). pp. 64544-64556. ISSN: 2046-2069 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C6RA11041J
- Bovill, R. , Evans, P. , Howse, G. , Osborn, H. (2016) Synthesis and biological analysis of novel glycoside derivatives of L-AEP, as targeted antibacterial agents. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters , 26 (15). pp. 3774-3779. ISSN: 0960-894X | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bmcl.2016.05.052
- Parshotam, J. , Brazier, J. , Bovill, R. , Osborn, H. (2016) An efficient and rapid microwave-assisted synthesis of 1-acetyl-1H-indol-3-YL acetates. Current Microwave Chemistry , 3 (3). pp. 247-257. ISSN: 2213-3364 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/2213335603666160108001556
- Bauer, J. and Osborn, H. (2015) Sialic acids in biological and therapeutic processes: opportunities and challenges. Future Medicinal Chemistry , 7 (16). pp. 2285-2299. ISSN: 1756-8927 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.4155/fmc.15.135
- Ravishankar, D. , Watson, K. , Boateng, S. , Green, R. , Greco, F. , Osborn, H. (2015) Exploring quercetin and luteolin derivatives as antiangiogenic agents. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry , 97 pp. 259-274. ISSN: 0223-5234 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejmech.2015.04.056
- Rajora, A. , Ravishankar, D. , Osborn, H. , Greco, F. (2014) Impact of the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect and cathepsins levels on the activity of polymer-drug conjugates. Polymers , 6 (8). pp. 2186-2220. ISSN: 2073-4360 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/polym6082186
- Ravishankar, D. , Rajora, A. , Greco, F. , Osborn, H. (2013) Flavonoids as prospective compounds for anti-cancer therapy. International Journal of Biochemistry and Cell Biology , 45 (12). pp. 2821-2831. ISSN: 1878-5875 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biocel.2013.10.004
- Jarvis, A. , McClaren, A. , Osborn, H. , Sweeney, J. (2013) Preparation and ring-opening reactions of N-diphenylphosphinyl vinyl aziridines. Beilstein Journal of Organic Chemistry , 9 pp. 852-859. ISSN: 1860-5397 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.3762/bjoc.9.98
- Burland, P. , Osborn, H. , Turkson, A. (2011) Synthesis and glycosidase inhibitory profiles of functionalised morpholines and oxazepanes. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry , 19 (18). pp. 5679-5692. ISSN: 0968-0896 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bmc.2011.07.019
- Fante, C. , Eldar-Boock, A. , Satchi-Fainaro, R. , Osborn, H. , Greco, F. (2011) Synthesis and biological evaluation of a polyglutamic acid-dopamine conjugate: a new antiangiogenic agent. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry , 54 (14). pp. 5255-5259. ISSN: 0022-2623 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jm200382r
- Benning, R. , Osborn, H. , Turkson, A. (2011) Regioselective Beckmann rearrangements of furanoside and pyranoside-derived oximes. Tetrahedron: Asymmetry , 22 (1). pp. 109-116. ISSN: 0957-4166 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tetasy.2010.11.031
- Burland, P. , Coisson, D. , Osborn, H. (2010) Rapid synthesis of carbohydrate derivatives, including mimetics of c-linked disaccharides and c-Linked aza disaccharides, using the Hetero-Diels−Alder Reaction . Journal of Organic Chemistry , 75 (21). pp. 7210-7218. ISSN: 0022-3263 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jo101219w
- Carlescu, I. , Osborn, H. , Desbrieres, J. , Scutaru, D. , Popa, M. (2010) Synthesis of poly(aspartimide)-based bio-glycoconjugates. Carbohydrate Research , 345 (1). pp. 33-40. ISSN: 0008-6215 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.carres.2009.08.034
- Osborn, . and Turkson, . (2009) Sugars as pharmaceuticals . In: Gabius, . , (eds.) The sugar code: fundamentals of glycosciences . Wiley-VCH , Weinheim. pp. 469-485. ISBN: 9783527320899
- Jawaid, S. , Khan, T. , Osborn, H. , Williams, N. (2009) Tyrosinase activated melanoma prodrugs. Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry , 9 (7). pp. 717-727. ISSN: 1871-5206
- Osborn, H. and Turkson, A. (2009) Synthesis and NMR spectroscopic analysis of 3-nitro-pyranoside, 3-nitro-septanoside and 4-nitro-septanoside derivatives by condensation of the anion of nitromethane with glycoside . Tetrahedron Asymmetry , 20 (18). pp. 2162-2166. ISSN: 0957-4166 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tetasy.2009.08.004
- Osborn, . , Evans, . , Bezouska, . (2008) Biomedicine of monosaccharides. In: Fraser-Reid, . , Tatsuta, . , Thiem, . , Coté, . , Flitsch, . , Ito, . , Kondo, . , Nishimura, . , Yu, . , (eds.) Glycoscience: chemistry and chemical biology. Springer , Berlin. pp. 2399-2444. ISBN: 9783540304296
- Ellis, D. , Norman, S. , Osborn, H. (2008) Synthesis of S-linked carbohydrate analogues via a Ferrier reaction. Tetrahedron , 64 (12). pp. 2832-2854. ISSN: 0040-4020 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tet.2008.01.042
- Bonjoch, J. , Drew, M. , Gonzalez, A. , Greco, F. , Jawaid, S. , Osborn, H. , Williams, N. , Yaqoob, P. (2008) Synthesis and evaluation of novel boron-containing complexes of potential use for the selective treatment of malignant melanoma. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry , 51 (20). pp. 6604-6608. ISSN: 0022-2623 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jm8007745
- Barclay, . , Jones, . , Osborn, . , Phillipson, . , Ren, . , Talevera, . , Thompson, . (2007) Probing the receptor interactions of an H5 avian influenza virus using a baculovirus expression system and functionalised poly(acrylic acid) ligands. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry , 15 (12). pp. 4038-4047. ISSN: 0968-0896 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bmc.2007.03.085
- Jawaid, . , Osborn, . , Williams, . (2007) Fighting skin cancer with prodrugs. Education in Chemistry , 44 (3). pp. 77-81. ISSN: 0013-1350
- Liu, . , Feizi, . , Carnpanero-Rhodes, . , Childs, . , Zhang, . , Muiioy, . , Evans, . , Osborn, . , Otto, . , Crocker, . , Chai, . (2007) Neoglycolipid probes prepared via oxime ligation for microarray analysis of oligosaccharide-protein interactions. Chemistry & Biology , 14 (7). pp. 847-859. ISSN: 1074-5521 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chembiol.2007.06.009
- Owen, . , Yamada, . , Thompson, . , Phillipson, . , Thompson, . , Taylor, . , Zambon, . , Osborn, . , Barclay, . , Borrow, . (2007) Alterations in receptor binding properties of recent human influenza H3N2 viruses are associated with reduced natural killer cell lysis of infected cells. Journal of Virology , 81 (20). pp. 11170-11178. ISSN: 0022-538X | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1128/jvi.01217-07
- Brome, . , Harwood, . , Osborn, . (2006) Preparation of enantiopure long chain threo-2-amino-3-hydroxyesters via chiral morpholinone-derived azomethine ylids. Canadian Journal of Chemistry-Revue Canadienne De Chimie , 84 (10). pp. 1448-1455. ISSN: 0008-4042 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1139/v06-121
- Chai, . , Piskarev, . , Mulloy, . , Liu, . , Evans, . , Osborn, . , Lawson, . (2006) Analysis of chain and blood group type and branching pattern of sialylated oligosaccharides by negative ion electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. Analytical Chemistry , 78 (5). pp. 1581-1592. ISSN: 0003-2700 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/ac051606e
- Knaggs, . , Malkin, . , Osborn, . , Williams, . , Yaqoob, . (2005) New prodrugs derived from 6-aminodopamine and 4-aminophenol as candidates for melanocyte-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (MDEPT). Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry , 3 (21). pp. 4002-4010. ISSN: 1477-0520 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1039/b506404j
- Osborn, . (2005) Development of new methodologies for entry to targets of therapeutic interest. Synlett (17). pp. 2571-2586. ISSN: 0936-5214 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1055/s-2005-917076
- Osborn, . , Meo, . , Nijara, . (2005) A new entry to 4,6-O-benzylidene glucal from phenyl 1-seleno-alpha-D-mannopyranoside. Tetrahedron-Asymmetry , 16 (11). pp. 1935-1937. ISSN: 0957-4166 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tetasy.2005.05.004
- Osborn, . and Williams, . (2004) Development of tyrosinase labile protecting groups for amines. Organic Letters , 6 (18). pp. 3111-3113. ISSN: 1523-7060 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/ol040042i
- Osborn, . , Evans, . , Gemmell, . , Osborne, . (2004) Carbohydrate-based therapeutics. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology , 56 (6). pp. 691-702. ISSN: 0022-3573 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1211/0022357023619
- Osborn, . and Coisson, . (2004) Application of the asymmetric hetero Diels-Alder reaction for synthesising carbohydrate derivatives and glycosidase inhibitors. Mini-Reviews in Organic Chemistry , 1 (1). pp. 41-54. ISSN: 1570-193X | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1570193043488953
- Clark, . and Osborn, . (2004) Synthetic entry to functionalised morpholines and [1,4]-oxazepanes via reductive amination reactions of carbohydrate derived dialdehydes. Tetrahedron-Asymmetry , 15 (22). pp. 3643-3652. ISSN: 0957-4166 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tetasy.2004.10.002
- Jordan, . , Osborn, . , Stafford, . , Tzortzis, . , Rastall, . (2003) Synthesis of unsaturated aminopyranosides as possible transition state mimics for glycosidases. Journal of Carbohydrate Chemistry , 22 (7-8). pp. 705-717. ISSN: 0732-8303 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1081/car-120026469
- Hayes, . , Osborn, . , Osborne, . , Rastall, . , Romagnoli, . (2003) One-pot synthesis of multivalent arrays of mannose mono- and disaccharides. Tetrahedron , 59 (40). pp. 7983-7996. ISSN: 0040-4020 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tet.2003.08.011
- Gemmell, . , Meo, . , Osborn, . (2003) Stereoselective entry to beta-linked C-disaccharides using a carbon-Ferrier reaction. Organic Letters , 5 (10). pp. 1649-1652. ISSN: 1523-7060 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/ol030023t
- Osborn, . (2003) Carbohydrates. Best synthetic methods Academic Press , Oxford. ISBN: 9780123120854