Helen Sheldrake studied Natural Sciences followed by a PhD in natural product synthesis at the University of Cambridge. After postdoctoral work at The University of Manchester, she joined the Institute of Cancer Therapeutics, University of Bradford as a RCUK Academic Fellow in Medicinal Chemistry. She is now a Lecturer in the School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, and School Health and Safety Lead.
New synthetic methods for biologically active/druglike molecules. Design and synthesis of integrin antagonists. Total synthesis.
The integrins are a family of transmembrane receptors which mediate cell-cell and cell-ECM adhesion, and signalling across the cell membrane involved in pathways controlling cell migration, proliferation, differentiation, cell survival and apoptosis. In cancers, their vital role in the cross-talk between the cell and extracellular matrix enhances the growth, migration, invasion and metastasis of cancer cells. The RGD-binding subfamily of integrins are of particular interest as anticancer targets, since there is strong evidence that their expression in cancers is correlated with tumour progression, treatment resistance, and a cancer stem cell phenotype. Research areas currently under investigation include:
- Investigation of combination therapies to
combat integrin-mediated resistance to existing anticancer agents.
- Development of personalised anti-integrin
agents: Identification of the optimum combination of integrins to target for
effective treatment of a particular tumour.
- Targeted integrin degradation
- Synthesis and characterisation of new integrin
targeting small molecules for the treatment of advanced cancers, particularly
metastatic prostate cancer and malignant melanoma.
Outside the integrin area, I am interested in the synthesis of biologically active natural products, and derivatives. Current targets include Nigramide Q and Scopariusicides A-C.
Current teaching activities:
Programme Leader: Clinical Sciences
Module Leader: CLS3006-C Chemistry, CLS5013-B Pharmacology and Therapeutics; INC7018-E Research Project
Adam Throup;Manar Saleh Zraikat;Andrew Gordon;Shohreh Jafarinejad Soumehsaraei;Kathrin D Haase;Laurence H Patterson;Patricia A Cooper;Katherine Hanlon;Paul M Loadman;Mark Sutherland;Steven D Shnyder;Helen M Sheldrake (2024) Rsc Medicinal Chemistry.
Asiye Busra Boz Er;Helen M Sheldrake;Mark Sutherland (2024) International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 25
Mark Sutherland, Andrew Gordon, Fatemah OFO Al-Shammari, Adam Throup, Amy Cilia La Corte, Helen Philippou, Steven D Shnyder, Laurence H Patterson, Helen M Sheldrake (2023) Cancers. 15
Ortuzar N;Karu K;Presa D;Morais GR;Sheldrake HM;Shnyder SD;Barnieh FM;Loadman PM;Patterson LH;Pors K;Searcey M; (2021) Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry. 40
Santos A.;Sheldrake H.;Ibrahim A.;Danta C.;Bonanni D.;Daga M.;Oliaro-Bosso S.;Boschi D.;Lolli M.;Pors K. (2019) MedChemComm. 10, 1476-1480.
Ahmedah, H.T.; Patterson, Laurence H.; Shnyder, Steven D.; Sheldrake, Helen M. (2017)
Throup, Adam; Patterson, Laurence H.; Sheldrake, Helen M. (2016)
Stephenson, M.J.; Howell, L.A.; O'Connell, M.A.; Fox, K.R.; Adcock, C.; Kingston, J.; Sheldrake, Helen M.; Pors, Klaus; Collingwood, S.P.; Searcey, M. (2015)
Sheldrake, Helen M.; Patterson, Laurence H. (2014)
Travica, S.; Pors, Klaus; Loadman, Paul M.; Shnyder, Steven D.; Johansson, I.; Alandas, Mohammed N.; Sheldrake, Helen M.; Mkrtchian, S.; Patterson, Laurence H.; Ingelman-Sundberg, M. (2013)
Sutherland, Mark H.; Gill, Jason H.; Loadman, Paul M.; Laye, Jonathan P.; Sheldrake, Helen M.; Illingworth, Nicola A.; Alandas, Mohammed N.; Cooper, Patricia A.; Searcey, M.; Pors, Klaus; Shnyder, Steven D.; Patterson, Laurence H. (2013)
Sheldrake, Helen M.; Travica, S.; Johansson, I.; Loadman, Paul M.; Sutherland, Mark H.; Elsalem, Lina M.I.; Illingworth, Nicola A.; Cresswell, Alexander J.; Reuillon, Tristan; Shnyder, Steven D.; Mkrtchian, S.; Searcey, M.; Ingelman-Sundberg, M.; Patterson, Laurence H.; Pors, Klaus (2013)
Pors, Klaus; Loadman, Paul M.; Shnyder, Steven D.; Sutherland, Mark H.; Sheldrake, Helen M.; Guino, M.; Kiakos, K.; Hartley, J.A.; Searcey, M.; Patterson, Laurence H. (2011)
Sheldrake, Helen M.; Patterson, Laurence H. (2009)
Ghosh, Nandita; Sheldrake, Helen M.; Searcey, M.; Pors, Klaus (2009)
Sheldrake, Helen M.; Jamieson, C.; Pascu, S.I.; Burton, J.W. (2009)
Pritchard, R.P.; Sheldrake, Helen M.; Taylor, I.Z.; Wallace, T.W. (2008)
Sheldrake, Helen M.; Wallace, T.W. (2007)
Ahmedah H.;Patterson L.;Shnyder S.;Sheldrake H. (2017) Cancers.
Sheldrake H.;Patterson L. (2014) Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.
Sutherland M.;Gordon A.;Shnyder S.;Patterson L.;Sheldrake H. (2012) Cancers.
Ghosh N.;Sheldrake H.;Searcey M.;Pors K. (2009) Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry.
Sheldrake H.;Patterson L. (2009) Current Cancer Drug Targets.