Helen Osborn

Email:
h.m.i.osborn@reading.ac.uk
Phone:
+44 (0) 118 378 7338
Job title:
Professor of Biomedicinal Chemistry

Responsibilities:

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

Trinh, D. , Radlinskaite, M. , Cheeseman, J. , 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
Khater, M. , 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
Donmez, S. , Needs, S. , Osborn, H. , Reis, N. , 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
Albadawi, D. , Ravishankar, D. , Vallance, T. , Patel, K. , Osborn, H. , 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
Dodd, A. , 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
Cheeseman, J. , Badia, C. , Thomson, R. , 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
Cheeseman, J. , 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
Needs, S. , Osborn, H. , 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
Cheeseman, J. , 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
Needs, S. , Donmez, S. , Bull, S. , McQuaid, C. , Osborn, H. , 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
Dönmez, S. , 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

Helen Osborn

Areas of interest

Professional bodies/affiliations

Publications

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