Thesis topics in Chemistry (for October 2023)

Application deadline: July 23th.

  1. Characteristics of chiral molecules (including chiral naphthalenediimides) using chiroptical methods and/or new electron structure descriptors supported by computational chemistry
    • Supervisor: Prof. Jan Cz. Dobrowolski or Dr hab. Joanna E. Rode, Prof. INCT
    • Auxiliary Supervisor: Dr Krzysztof Łyczko
    • Description: The main focus of our Spectroscopy, Molecular Modeling, and Structure Determination Laboratory is the characterization of chiral molecules using molecular spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and computational methods. Chirality adds a new dimension to molecules. For example, enantiomers can differ in bioactivity; chiral spectrum; interactions with other chiral molecules; organoleptic properties. New chiral materials can find applications in asymmetric synthesis and catalysis, as well as in chiral separation, chiral optoelectronics, chiral sensing, etc. Recently, we synthesized chiral naphthalenediimides, based on which we constructed an enantioselective sensor of teratogenic (S)- and therapeutic (R)-Thalidomide in blood plasma. We also investigated new chiroptical ECD-Raman spectra using some atropomeric naphthalenediimides. The dissertation can be devoted to some of the following topics:
      • experimental chiroptical spectroscopy,
      • computational chiroptical spectroscopy,
      • crystal structure determination
      • construction of new electron structure descriptors,
      • synthesis of series of chiral substances, such as chiral organic semiconductor molecules or chiral lanthanide coordination complexes, etc.
    • Funding: IChTJ Fellowship
  2. Synthesis and biological evaluation of new radiopharmaceuticals against cancer stem cells
    • Supervisor: dr hab. inż. Agnieszka Majkowska-Pilip
    • Description: The Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry Laboratory in the Department of Radiochemistry and Nuclear Chemistry is seeking candidates for a PhD student  position in the synthesis and biological evaluation of new radiopharmaceuticals against cancer stem cells (CSCs). This small population of cells in tumor mass play an essential role in oncology, since they seem to be responsible for the tumorigenesis, relapse of the tumor and metastasis. Recent evidences suggest, that CSCs are intrinsically resistant to standard chemo- and radiotherapies leading to tumor progression.To improve therapeutic efficiency and destroy very resistant CSCs, we propose the synthesis of multimodal agents for the treatment of CSCs, in which three various functions: radiotherapy, chemotherapy and guiding vector, will be joined together into one compound. The inspiration for the presented project is our publication, where α radionuclide 225Ac conjugated by ligand DOTA to Substance P (SP) peptide (having affinity to NK1 receptors) caused cytotoxicity of glioblastoma cancer stem cells (GCSs).
      The project will include:
      • the synthesis of new radiopharmaceuticals based on alpha and Auger emitters;
      • chemical evaluation of the complexes;
      • biological in vitro studies such as receptor affinity, internalization, cytotoxicity on cell culture and spheroids;
      • In vivo studies on mice.
      • We expect, that all of these parts together will give a synergistic effect and kill the cancer stem cells effectively
    • Funding: ICHTJ fellowship
  3. Investigation of radiation stability of the organic-based sorbents for radionuclide removal
    • Supervisor: Andrzej Pawlukojć, Ph. D., D. Sc., Professor in INCT
    • Auxiliary Supervisor: Dagmara Chmielewska-Śmietanko, Ph. D.
    • Description: In the face of the Polish Nuclear Power Programme implementation and the foreseen construction of the nuclear power plants the development of human resources to prepare qualified personnel for the construction and operation of nuclear power plants is essential to meet the goals defined in the Programme.
      Organic-based ion exchangers are widely applied in nuclear industry and represent globally the dominant form of ion exchange waste. Radiation stability of spent ion exchangers is one of the crucial parameters in terms of long-term storage of radioactive waste in the repository. The work covers investigation of influence of the high-dose irradiation on the radiation stability of organic-based sorbents.
    • Funding: IChTJ Fellowship
  4. Synthesis, physicochemical and computational properties of chiral rhenium and rhodium complexes of anticancer and antibacterial activity
    • Supervisor: Dr hab. Joanna E. Rode, Prof. INCT
    • Auxiliary Supervisor: Dr Krzysztof Łyczko
    • Description: The Ph.D thesis will be devoted to synthesis, spectroscopic measurements, computational interpretation, and crystal structure determination of chiral rhenium and rhodium complexes of potent anticancer and antibacterial activity. The rising role of chiral molecules in pharmacy and chemistry imposes the use of structural, physicochemical, and chiroptical spectroscopy tools to characterize enantiopure compounds. Chiroptical spectroscopies: Vibrational and Electronic Circular Dichroism (VCD and ECD) will be the main techniques of the studies. Moreover, UV-Vis, fluorescence, and IR spectra of the selected chiral ligands and new chiral Re/Rh complexes will be measured, and the interpretation of all spectroscopic data will be based on the quantum-chemical calculations. The chiral Re/Rh complexes will be original because of new enantiopure organic ligands used for synthesis, which will be synthesized in Prof. Robert Kawęcki’s Organic Chemistry Department of Siedlce University.
    • Funding: IChTJ Fellowship