Research identifies easier way to predict how chemical compounds will interact

Press Office
Water in hydrogen bond network by Masakazu Matsumoto }

New research has revealed that simple, commercially available computer programmes could be used to design next generation drug-delivery systems by predicting more easily how different chemical compounds interact.

Led by Dr Jennifer Hiscock of the University’s School of Physical Sciences, a team of researchers has identified a new more cost-effective way of predicting how compounds known as amphiphiles will interact with each other to impart specific physical properties to a solution.

The study, entitled Towards the prediction of global solution state properties for hydrogen bonded, self-associating amphiphiles, has revealed for the first time the potential for simple, easily accessible new methods of predicting on a computer how the compounds will behave.

The research involved the team using computer modelling to exhibit desired, pre-programmed properties before the chemical compounds even exist in real life.

The research is likely speed up the development – and decrease costs – associated with developing new methods of delivering drugs and medical-grade soaps and gels.

Towards the prediction of global solution state properties for hydrogen bonded, self-associating amphiphiles (Lisa White, Stilyana Tyuleva, Ben Wilson, Helena Shepherd, Kendrick Ng, Simon Holder, Ewan Clark and Jennifer Hiscock, all School of Physical Sciences, University of Kent) is published in Chemistry- A European Journal.