Dr Heulyn Jones

My PhD research was focused on the use of novel organoboron chemistry to generate quaternary carbon centres, which included work on the cyanidation, DCME, 1-lithio-3-chloropropene and bromomethyl lithium organoboron reactions.

After completion of the PhD, I spent just over three years at the University of Strathclyde with Prof. Nick Tomkinson’s research group, working on two main projects: small molecule modulation of REV-ERBα/RORα nuclear receptors and small molecule promoted proliferation of liver progenitor cells (UK stem cell hub). In 2016, I moved to the University of Manchester to work with Dr. Sam Butterworth on a multi-collaborative drug discovery project, to develop novel inhibitors of the calmodulin-dependent kinases (Wellcome Trust).

Following this, I joined the newly-formed Medicines Discovery Institute (MDI) at Cardiff University, where I have been working on several CNS drug discovery targets, which have included: investigation of GABA receptor subtype-selective small molecules as a potential treatment for the cognitive impairment that accompanies Huntington’s disease (Wellcome Trust), inhibition of a kinase target as a treatment option for Fragile X Syndrome (MRC) and inhibition of a ceramidase as a therapy for certain Lysosomal Storage Disorders (Harrington Discovery Institute). Last year, along with my research position, I commenced a chemistry lectureship position to improve Welsh-language resource at the university (Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol). I am fascinated by the relatively new technology of using bifunctional molecules, such as PROTACs and have a growing interest in devising potential therapies for Lysosomal Storage Disorders and diseases that are caused by the misfolding of proteins.