Professor Andrew Abell

Awards & Achievements

Fellow of The Royal Australian Chemical Institute  (2007).

Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry (1996).

NZIC Easterfield Award, New Zealand (1994).

Senior Fulbright Scholarship, USA (1993-94).

 

Publications

[01-09-2011] Great News!

We are pleased to announce the launch of our company, Calpain Therapeutics that is dedicated to bringing to market a set of proprietary chemical compounds that effectively and selectively inhibit Calpain – a family of cysteine proteases which are present in the cytoplasma of many tissues. Calpain Therapeutics aims to bring to market new chemical entities that dramatically slow the progression of ophthalmic and neurodegenerative related diseases caused by Calpain. For further information please see: http://calpaintherapeutics.com/

Calpain Therapeutics acknowledge key contributions from a large team in New Zealand where Prof Abell worked prior to moving to Adelaide, The University of Canterbury (Jim Coxon), Lincoln University (James Morton and Roy Bickerstaffe) and Douglas Pharmaceuticals

We are also please to announce that Calpain Therapeutics has been chosen as a finalist in the University of Queensland's enterprize Business Plan competition. Please see

UQ News online
http://www.uq.edu.au/news/index.html?latest=1
http://www.uq.edu.au/news/index.html?article=23668

<Visit our research group website.>

 

 

My tertiary education began at the University of Adelaide where I completed a BSc with Honours (1^st class, 1982) in chemistry and biochemistry, and a PhD on the chemistry and biochemistry of terpenes (1985).  This was followed by a two-year postdoctoral fellowship at Cambridge to work with Professor Sir Alan Battersby on some mechanistic problems in the biosynthesis of vitamin B₁₂ and related pigments. My time at Cambridge provided insights into the process of researching a multidisciplinary problem of considerable breadth and depth.  This experience greatly expanded my skills in synthesis, protein science, enzymology, and the supervision of undergraduate students through my association with Pembroke College.  At this time it became clear to me that my future was in academia, and with this in mind I accepted a lectureship at the University of Canterbury in 1987. 

I established an independent research program at Canterbury working on chemical problems of biological importance, particularly in the area of the design, synthesis and testing of inhibitors of serine proteases.  My research group grew in size and stature as I branched into other areas of biological chemistry.  One project on the inhibition of HIV protease proved significant for my future career path.  My group developed an innovative approach to the inhibition of this enzyme at the stage when this was first proposed as a strategy for the treatment of AIDS. I was later offered, and accepted, a position to work with SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals in Philadelphia as a visiting scientist, consultant and senior Fulbright Fellow for 12 months (1993-4). During this time I was exposed to the workings of a major international pharmaceutical company in what was an ‘eye opening’ experience.

I worked on a number of problems of medicinal importance at SKB, and in the process gained experience in all aspects of drug design and development from project inception, through to synthesis, in vitro and in vivo testing, patent protection, commercialization, management, and large-scale production.  A particular focus of my work was concerned with the development of a treatment for conditions associated with an over activity of steroid 5alpha-reductase. This enzyme metabolises testosterone into the more potent androgen, dihydrotestosterone, elevated levels of which are linked to benign prostatic hyperplasia and male pattern baldness.  On returning to Canterbury I continued to work on the steroid reductase problem.

In the late 1990’s a good deal of my research efforts re-focused onto the design and properties of peptidomimetic-based inhibitors of proteases.  In the ensuing years I have advanced a number of bioorganic and medicinal projects supported by significant external research funding, links with industry and universities. In 2007 I was offered and accepted a position of Professor of Chemistry at the University of Adelaide.

A good deal of my other current research time is spent on research projects at the interface of chemistry, biochemistry and surface science. Projects include the development of inhibitors of the shikimate pathway as potential herbicides and antibacterial agents (Marsden funded), the inhibition of ion channels present in cytoplasmic droplets of Nitella hookeri, the immobilization of peptides and peptidomimetics on surfaces (Marsden and ARC funded), and most recently in Adelaide the design and synthesis of inhibitors of Biotin Protein Ligase (BPL) as new antibacterial agents. A particularly important theme in much of this work is the development of metathesis chemistry for the preparation of peptide like structures.  For example, we recently reported the metathesis synthesis of analogues of nature’s phenylalanine constrained into a proline like conformation 1; and also 5-, 6- and 7-membered cyclic b-amino esters from simple and readily available natural building blocks (methionine, allylglycine, and serine) for incorporation into oligomers of well-define conformation, e.g. helical b-peptide. Much of this work began with our publication of an invited review [Ring-closing Metathesis of nitrogen-containing compounds: applications to heterocycles, alkaloids and peptidomimetics; A. J. Phillips and A. D. Abell, Aldrichimica Acta, 1999, 32(3), 75-89]. Our metathesis work also offers significant potential for surface attachment studies, and for conjugating biomolecules onto active ligands and macrostructures to access important immunoconjugates and peptido sugars. However, we need access to catalysts that are active in aqueous conditions to really progress this work. 

Teaching is also a particularly important aspect of my time as an academic and I very much enjoy the link between this and research. This link is particularly evident at the postgraduate level, where I have a strong interest and a good deal of experience. At the undergraduate level I cater for different abilities and backgrounds through interactive learning and the use material that is of relevance to the student. I encourage debate and discussion and I use case studies and research examples to explore concepts and topics. A good deal of my undergraduate teaching is at the interface of disciplines and this provides me with a challenging opportunity to extend the experiences of students. Within this framework I have developed new courses on Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceuticals, Bioorganic Chemistry, and Biochemistry at all levels.  I have also had an interest in outreach activities and I tutored the New Zealand Chemical Olympiad team for a number of years.

 

[1]       Synthesis and High-Resolution NMR Structure of a beta3-Octapeptide with and without a Tether Introduced by Olefin Metathesis. Marc-Olivier Ebert, James Gardiner, Steven Ballet, Andrew D. Abell, and Dieter Seebach. Helvetica Chimica Acta. doi: 10.1002/hlca.200900311

[2]       Calpains: Attractive Targets for the Development of Synthetic Inhibitors. Markus Pietsch, Krystle C. H. Chua, Andrew D. Abell. Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry, in press.

[3]       N-Heterocyclic dipeptide aldehyde calpain inhibitors. Seth A. Jones, Matthew A. Jones, Stephen B. McNabb, Steven G. Aitken, James M. Coxon, and Andrew D. Abell. Protein and Peptide Letters, 2009, 16(12), 1466-1472.

[4]       A robust and recyclable ruthenium catalyst immobilised on polyethylene Glycol

         Shazia Zaman, Andrew D. Abell. Tetrahedron Letters, 2009, 50(38), 5340-5343.

[5]       Efficient Large-Scale Synthesis of CAT811, a Potent Calpain Inhibitor of Interest in the Treatment of Cataracts. Matthew A. Jones, James M., Coxon, Stephen B. McNabb, Janna M. Mehrtens, Nathan A. Alexander, Seth Jones, Hongyuan Chen, Clemence Buisan, Andrew D. Abell. Aust. J. Chem, 2009, 62, 671-675.

[6]       Synthesis of Macrocyclic beta-Strand Templates by Ring Closing Metathesis. Andrew D. Abell, Nathan A. Alexander, Steven G. Aitken, Hongyuan Chen, James M., Coxon, Matthew A. Jones, Stephen B. McNabb, Andrew Muscroft-Taylor. J. Org. Chem. 2009, 74, 4354-4356.

[7]       Development of aqueous metathesis catalysts. Shazia Zaman, Owen J. Curnow, and Andrew D Abell. Aust. J. Chem, 2009, 62, 91-110. (cover feature)   

[8]       Evaluation of a novel calpain inhibitor as a treatment for cataract. Hannah Y.Y. Lee, James D. Morton, Lucinda J. G. Robertson, Josh McDermott, Roy Bickerstaffe, Andrew D. Abell, Matthew A. Jones, Janna M. Mertons, James M. Coxon. Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology, 2008, 36, 852-860.

[9]       Molecular Modelling, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Macrocyclic Calpain Inhibitors. Andrew D. Abell, Matthew A. Jones, James M. Coxon, James D. Morton, Steven G. Aitken, Stephen B. McNabb, Hannah Y.-Y. Lee, Janna M. Mehrtens, Nathan A. Alexander, Blair G. Stuart, Axel T. Neffe and Roy Bickerstaffe. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 2009, 48, 1455-1458. (selected as a hot article)

[10]    Multiple ligands in opiod research. Ballet S, Pietsch M, Abell AD. Protein Peptide Letters, 2008, 15(7), 668-682.   

[11]    Improved photocontrol of alpha-chymotrypsin activity - peptidomimetic trifluoromethylketone photoswitch enzyme inhibitors. David Pearson, Nathan Alexander, and Andrew D. Abell, Chem. Euro. J., 2008, 14(24), 7358-7365. 

[12]    Synthesis, biological evaluation and molecular modelling of N-Heterocyclic dipeptide aldehydes as selective calpain inhibitors. Matthew A. Jones, James D. Morton, James M. Coxon, Stephen B. McNabb, Hannah Y.-Y. Lee, Steven G. Aitken, Janna M. Mehrtens, Lucinda J.G. Robertson, Axel T. Neffe, Karl Gately, Jacqueline M. Wood, and Andrew D. Abell. Bioorg. Med. Chem., 2008, 16(14), 6911-6923.

[13]    Electrochemistry of Catechol Terminated Monolayers with Cu(II),Ni(II) and Fe(III) Cations: A Model for the Marine Adhesive Interface. Paula A. Brooksby, David R. Schiel, Andrew D. Abell. Langmuir, 2008, 14(24), 9074-9081.

[14]    D-Leu-L-Phe-containing dipeptide inhibitors of α-chymotrypsin – the role of the N- and C-termini in enzyme affinity. David Pearson and Andrew D. Abell. ARKIVOC, 2008, 85-94.

[15]    Cross Metathesis and Ring-Closing Metathesis reactions of amino acid-based substrates, Andrea Vernall, Steven Ballet, and Andrew Abell. Tetrahedron, 2008, 64, 3980-3997.

[16]    An Enantioselective Synthesis of a-Fluorinated b2-Amino Acids. Michael K. Edmonds, Florian H. M. Graichen, James Gardiner, and Andrew D. Abell. Org. Lett. 2008, 10, 885-887.

[17]    Reversible photoregulation of binding of a-chymotrypsin to a gold surface. David Pearson, Alison J. Downard, Andrew Muscroft-Taylor, and Andrew D.  Abell, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2007, 129, 14862.

[18]    NMR-Solution Structures of Fluoro-Substituted b-Peptides: A 314-Helix and a Hairpin Turn. The First Case of a 90° O=C-C-F Dihedral Angle in an a-Fluoro Amide Group. Raveendra I. Mathad, Bernhard Jaun, Oliver Flögel, James Gardiner, Markus Löweneck, Jeroen D. C. Codée, Peter H. Seeberger, Dieter Seebach, Michael K. Edmonds, Florian H. M. Graichen, and Andrew D. Abell. Helv. Chimica Acta, 2007, 90, 2251-2273.

[19]    Design, synthesis, and structural studies on potent biaryl inhibitors of type II dehydroquinases.  Payne RJ, Riboldi-Tunnicliffe A, Kerbarh O, Abell AD, Lapthorn AJ, Abell C. ChemMedChem 2007, 2 (7), 1010-1013.

[20]    Rational design, synthesis, and evaluation of nanomolar type II dehydroquinase inhibitors. Payne RJ, Peyrot F, Kerbarh O, Abell AD, Abell C. ChemMedChem 2007, 2 (7), 1015-1029.

[21]    Evaluation of 4 '-substituted bicyclic pyridones as non-steroidal inhibitors of steroid 5 alpha-reductase. McCarthy AR, Hartmann RW, Abell AD. Bioorg. & Med. Chem. Lett. 2007, 17 (13), 3603-3607.

[22]    Synthesis of 5-phenyl 2-functionalized pyrroles by amino Heck and tandem amino Heck carbonylation reactions. Zaman S, Kitamura M, Abell AD. Aust. J. Chem. 2007, 60 (8), 624-626 2007

[23]    Investigation into the P-3 binding domain of m-calpain using photoswitchable diazo- and triazene-dipeptide aldehydes: New anticataract agents.  Abell AD, Jones MA, Neffe AT, Aitken SG, Cain TP, Payne RJ, McNabb SB, Coxon JM, Stuart BG, Pearson D, Lee HYY, Morton JD. J. Med. Chem. 2007, (12), 2916-2920.

 

[24]    Grafting aryl diazonium cations to polycrystalline gold: Insights into film structure using gold oxide reduction, redox probe electrochemistry, and contact angle behavior. Paulik MG, Brooksby PA, Abell AD, Downard AJ. J. Phys Chem. C, 2007, 111, 7808-7815.

 

[25]    Ring closing metathesis of a- and b-amino acid derived diene. Andrew D. Abell, Steven G. Aitken, James Gardiner, Stephen B. McNabb, and Shazia Zaman, J. Organometalic Chemistry, 2006, 69(24-25), 5487-5496 (invited paper).

 

[26]    Olefin Cross Metathesis of Vinyl Terminated Self-Assembled Monolayer (SAM) on Gold: Electrochemical Study Using a Ferrocenyl Redox Center. Paula A. Brooksby, Kelly H. Anderson, Alison J. Downard, and Andrew D. Abell, Langmuir, 2006, 22, 9304-9312.

 

[27]    Photoswitch inhibitors of a-chymotrypsin - increased substitution and peptidic character in peptidomimetic boronate esters. David Pearson and Andrew D. Abell, Org. Biomol. Chem. 2006, 4, 3618-3625.

 

[28]    Synthesis of amino acid derived seven-membered lactams by RCM and their evaluation against HIV protease. Shazia Zaman, Pietro Campaner and Andrew D. Abell, Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, 2006, 4(240, 8323-8331.

 

[29]    Synthesis and evaluation of diazo- and triazene- dipeptide aldehydes as calpain inhibitors for the treatment of cataract. Matthew A. Jones, Axel T. Neffe, Blair G. Stuart, Thomas P. Cain, James M. Coxon, Steve G. Aitken, Janna M. Nikkel, Richard J. Payne, Hanna Y.-Y. Lee, James D. Morton, Andrew D. Abell, Biochemistry, accepted.

 

[30]    Estrogenicity of pyrethroid insectiside metabolites. McCarthy A.R., Thomson B.M., Shaw I.C., and Abell A.D. J. Environmental Monitoring 2006, 8, 197-202.

 

[31]    Design and synthesis of aromatic inhibitors of anthranilate synthase. Payne, Richard J.; Bulloch, Esther M. M.; Abell, Andrew D.; Abell, Chris. Org. Biomol. Chem. 2005, 3(20), 3629-3635.

 

[32]    Synthesis of a [1,4]dioxane-2,5-dione based-peptidomimetic scaffold. Andrew D. Abell and Andrew J. Harvey. Arkivoc, 2006, 3, 72-76.

 

[33]    Developments in the Design and Synthesis of Calpain Inhibitors. Axel T. Neffe and Andrew D. Abell. Current Opinion in Drug Discovery & Development, 2005 8(6), 684-700.

 

[34]    Inhibition studies on salicylate synthase. Payne, Richard J.; Kerbarh, Olivier; Miguel, Ricardo Nunez; Abell, Andrew D.; Abell, Chris. Org. Biomol. Chem. 2005, 3(10), 1825-1827.

 

[35]    Design and synthesis of aromatic inhibitors of anthranilate synthase Richard J. Payne, Miguel D. Toscano, Esther M. M. Bulloch, Andrew D. Abell and Chris Abell,  Org. Biomol. Chem. 2005, 3(12), 2271-2281.

 

[36]    Synthesis of trisubstituted imidazoles by Palladium-catalysed cyclisation of O-pentafluorobenzoylamidoximes: application to amino acid mimetics with a C-terminal imidazole. Shazia Zaman, Kitamura Mitsuru, and Andrew D. Abell. Org. Lett. 2005, 7(4), 609-611.

 

[37]    Olefin Metahthesis: catalyst development, microwave catalysis and domino applications. S. G. Aitken; Abell, A. D. Aust. J. Chem. 2005, 58, 3-13 (invited review).

 

[38]    Removal of the nitro- and phenyl groups from NPPB decreases its inhibitory effect on cytoplasmic streaming in the alga Nitella hookeri.  Graichen, F.; Giles, K. R.; Abell, A. D.; Garrill, A. Biochem. Cell Biol., 2005, 83 (2), 133-139.

 

[39]    A. D. Abell, Aust. J. Chem. 2004, 57, volume editor.

 

[40]    The synthesis, testing and development of a-(hydroxymethyl)pyrroles as DNA binding agents, Derek C. Martyn and Andrew D. Abell, Aust. J. Chem. 2004, 57, 1073-1077.

 

[41]    Synthesis and Evaluation of Eight-Membered cyclic Pseudo-Dipeptides, Abell, Andrew D.; Brown, Karina M.; Coxon, James M.; Jones, Matthew A.; Miyamoto, Sigeru; Neffe, Axel T.; Nickel, Janna M; Stuart, Blair G, Peptides, 2005, 26(2), 251-258.

 

[42]    Cross-metathesis coupling of sugars and fatty acids to lysine and cysteine, Andrea J. Vernall and Andrew D. Abell, Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry 2004, 2, 2555-2557.

 

[43]    Inhibitors of Types I and II Dehydroquinase. C. Le Sann, M. A. Gower and A. D. Abell, Mini Reviews in Med. Chem., 2004, 7(4), 747-756 (invited, cover issue).

 

[44]    Synthesis and protein conjugation studies of vitamin K analogues. Richard J. Payne, Alison M. Daines, Bruce M. Clark and Andrew D. Abell. Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry, 2004, 12, 5785-5791.

 

[45]    Peptidic Aldehydes Based on a- and b-Amino Acids: Synthesis, Inhibition of m-Calpain and Anti-cataract Properties. Richard J. Payne, Karina M. Brown, James M. Coxon, James D. Morton, Hannah Yun-Young Lee and Andrew D. Abell. Aust. J. Chem. 2004, 57, 877-884.

 

[46]    The preparation of side chain functionalized analogues of coenzyme Q for protein conjugation studies. Alison M. Daines and Andrew D. Abell, Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry 2004, 2(16), 2371-2375.

 

[47]    Synthesis and Solid State Structure of Phenylalanine-Containing Mimetics Constrained in a Proline-Like Conformation. James Gardiner and Andrew D. Abell, Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry, 2004, 2(16), 2365-2370.

 

[48]    Synthesis and X-ray structure of functionalised proline mimics. James Gardiner and Andrew Abell, Arkivoc, 2004, Issue in Honour of Rod Richards, ms. x, 46-52.

 

[49]    The Synthesis of Cyclic b-Amino Acids from Methionine, Allylglycine, and Serine, James Gardiner, Kelly H. Anderson, Alison Downard, and Andrew D. Abell, J. Org. Chem., 2004, 69(10), 3375-3382.

 

[50]    Synthesis and Properties of ArgoGel-OMs. C. Le Sann and A. D. Abell, Aust. J. Chem., 2004, 57(4), 355-358.

 

[51]    Cross Metathesis of Nitrogen-Containing Systems. A. J. Vernall and A. D. Abell Aldrichimica Acta, 2003, 36(3), 93-105 (invited).

 

[52]    The Synthesis of Naturally Occurring Vitamin K and Vitamin K Analogues. A. M. Daines, R. J. Payne, M. E. Humphries, A. D. Abell, Current Organic Chemistry, 2003, 7(16), 1625-1634 (invited).

 

[53]    Ring-deactivated hydroxyalkylpyrrole-based inhibitors of a-chymotrypsin: synthesis and mechanism of action.  D. C. Martyn, A. J. Vernall, B. M. Clark, A. D. Abell, Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry, 2003, 1(12), 2103-2110. 

 

[54]    A diastereoselective synthesis of the tetrahydropyridazinone core of 2-oxo-1,6-diazobicyclo[4.3.0]nonane-9-carboxylate-based peptidomimetics starting from (S)-phenylalanine. J. Gardiner, A. D. Abell, Tetrahedron Letters, 2003, 44(22), 4227-4230.

 

[55]    A convenient method for the synthesis of dehydroquinic acid. C. Le Sann, C Abell, A. D. Abell, Synthetic Communications, 2003, 33(4), 527-533. 

 

[56]    A. D. Abell, Pure and Applied Chemistry 2003, 75(1), volume editor.

 

[57]    Synthesis of Functionalized Piperidinones. M. E. Humphries, J. Murphy, A. J. Phillips, A. D. Abell, J. Org. Chem., 2003, 68(6), 2432-2436.

 

[58]    The synthesis of NPPB and NPBB by reductive amination and the effects of these compounds on K+ channels of the alga Nitella hookeri.  K. R. Giles, M. Humphries, A. D. Abell, A. Garrill, Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 2003, 13(2), 293-295.

 

[59]    Synthesis of Substituted Cyclohexenyl-Based b-Amino Acids by Ring Closing Metathesis. A. D. Abell and J. Gardiner, Org. Lett., 2002, 4, 3663-3666.

 

[60]    A simple method for the preparation of 3-hydroxyiminodehydroquinate, a potent inhibitor of type II dehydroquinase. C. Le Sann, C. Abell and A. D. Abell, J. Chem. Soc., Perkin Trans. 1, 2002, 2065-2068.

 

[61]    Protein Binding Studies of Vitamin K analogues for use in an immunological assay. R. J. Payne and A. D. Abell, Chemistry in New Zealand, 2002, 16-20.

 

[62]    A convenient method for the synthesis of dehydroquinic acid, C. Le Sann, C. Abell and A. D. Abell, Synthetic Communications, 2002, 2065-2068.

 

[63]    Heterocyclic-Based Peptidomimetics, A.D. Abell, Letters in Peptide Science, 2001, 8, 267-272.

 

[64]    An amino acid N-derivatising group that can be colored on demand, A. D. Abell, D. C. Martyn, B. C. H. May and B. K. Nabbs, Tetrahedron Letters, 2002, 43, 3673-3675.

 

[65]    a-Methylene tetrazole-based peptidomimetics: synthesis and inhibition of HIV protease, B. C. H. May, and A. D. Abell, J. Chem. Soc., Perkin Trans. 1, 2002, 172-178.

 

[66]    Stereocontrol of the Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction: Application to the synthesis of HIV-1 protease inhibitors, D. C. Martyn, D. A. Hoult, and A. D. Abell, Aust. J. Chem., 2001, 54 (6): 391-396.

 

[67]    The synthesis and solid state structure of (8S)-8-benzyl-8,9-dihydro-7H-tetrazolo[1,5-d][1,4] diazepin-6-one, B. C. H. May, and A. D. Abell, Chem. Commun., 2001, (20): 2080-2081.

 

[68]    New Herbicidal and Antimicrobial Agents that Inhibit the Shikimate Pathway, M. A. Gower and A. D. Abell, New Zealand Science Review, 2001, 58 (3), 87-90..

 

[69]    a-Ketoester-based Photobiological Switches:  Synthess, Peptide Chain Extension and Asay Against a-Chymotrypsin, A. J. Harvey and A. D. Abell, Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 2001, 11(18), 2441-2444.

 

[70]    The synthesis and crystal structure of alpha-keto tetrazole-based dipeptide mimics, B. C. H. May, A. D. Abell, Tetrahedron Letters, 2001,42, 5641-5644.

 

[71]    The Design and Synthesis of a Conformationally Restricted trans Peptide Isostere Based on the Bioactive Conformations of Saquinavir and Nelfinavir, Michael K. Edmonds and Andrew D. Abell, J. Org. Chem., 2001, 66, 3747-3752.

 

[72]    Synthesis, X-ray and conformational studies of novel tetrazole-containing macrocycles: 4,13-dioxa-1,7,8,9,17,18,19,20-octaazatricyclo[14.2.1.17,10]icosa-8,10(20),16(19),17-tetraene and 4,14-dioxa-1,7,8,9,10,18,19,20-octaazatricyclo[15.2.1.07,10]icosa-8,10,17(20),18-tetraene, V. Y. Zubarev, R. E. Trifonov, V. V. Filichev, V. A. Ostrovskii, M. K. Edmonds and A. D. Abell, J. Chem. Soc., Perkin Trans. 2, 2001, 3,  417-421.

 

[73]    Ring-deactivated Hydroxymethylpyrroles as Inhibitors of a-Chymotrypsin, A. D. Abell and B. K. Nabbs,  Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, 2001, 9(3), 621-628.

 

[74]    Azobenzene-Containing, Peptidyl a-Ketoesters as Photobiological Switches of a-Chymotrypsin, A. D. Abell and A. J. Harvey, Tetrahedron, 2000, 56, 9763-9771. (invited paper for a special issue of Tetrahedron).

 

[75]    Simple bi- and tricyclic inhibitors of human steroid 5a-reductase, A. D. Abell, M. J. Prince, A. M. McNulty and B. L. Neubauer, Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 2000, 10(17), 1909-1911.

 

[76]    Kinetic Characterisation of Ene-Diol-Based Inhibitors of a-Amylase, J. A. Gerrard, M. J. Prince and A. D. Abell, Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 2000, 10(14), 1575-1576.

 

[77]    Progress Towards an Intramolecular Diels-Alder–Ring-Expansion Approach to Taxinine:  The Interplay of Lewis Acids and High-Pressure,  A. J. Phillips, J. C. Morris, and A. D. Abell, Tetrahedron Lett., 2000, 41, 2723-2727.

 

[78]    Ring-closing Metathesis of nitrogen-containing compounds: applications to heterocycles, alkaloids and peptidomimetics; A. J. Phillips and A. D. Abell, Aldrichimica Acta, 1999, 32(3), 75-89.

 

[79]    The synthesis and x-ray crystal structure of phenylalanine-based N-benzyloxysuccinimides, A. D. Abell, M. D. Oldham, M. M. Moore, W. T. Robinson, Aust. J. Chem., 1999, 52(10), 977-981.

 

[80]    Properties and reactions of ring-deactivated deuterated hydroxymethylpyrroles, A. D. Abell and B. K. Nabbs, Org. Lett., 1999, 1, 1403-1405.

 

[81]    Synthesis of lactam-based peptidomimetics from b-keto esters and b-keto amides, A. D. Abell and J. Gardiner, J. Org. Chem., 1999, 9668-9672.

 

[82]    A convenient preparation of (2SR,3S)-3-amino-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutanoic acid: An important peptide bond isostere, B. C. H. May and A. D. Abell, Synth. Commun, 1999, 29(14), 2515-2525.

 

[83]    Leucine-phenylalanine dipeptide-based Nmesyloxy-succinimides:  Synthesis of all four stereoisomers and their assay against serine proteases, A. D. Abell and M. D. Oldham, Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 1999, 9, 497-500.

 

[84]    The synthesis and P388 cytotoxicity of mycalazol 11 and related 5-acyl-2-hydroxymethylpyrroles, B. K. Nabbs and A. D. Abell, Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 1999, 9, 505-508.

 

[85]    Succinimide and saccharin-based enzyme-activated inhibitors of serine proteases, D. C. Martyn, M. J. B. Moore and A. D. Abell, Current Pharmaceutical Design, 1999, 405-415.

 

[86]    The preparation and biological activity of lactam-based, non-steroidal, inhibitors of human type-1 steroid 5alpha-reductase, A. D. Abell, A. J. Phillips, S. Budhia, A. M. McNulty and B. L. Neubauer, Aust. J. Chem., 1998, 51, 389-396.

 

[87]    The synthesis and properties of ring-deactivated deuterated hydroxymethylpyrroles, A. D. Abell, B. K. Nabbs, A. R. Battersby, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1998, 120, 1741-1746. (see Chemtracts-Org. Chem., 1999, 534 for an independent review of this paper).

 

[88]    ¹HNMR study of the hydrolysis of N-acylhydroxy[2H]pyrroles, A. D. Abell and B. K. Nabbs, J. Chem. Soc., Chem. Commun., 1998, 8, 919-920.

 

[89]    Ascorbic acid-based inhibitors of a-amylases, A. D. Abell, M. J. Ratcliffe and J. Gerrard, Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 1998, 8, 1703-1706.

 

[90]    The reaction of N-magnesium derivatives of pyrroles with N-mesylchloromethylpyrroles: A synthesis of dipyrrylmethanes, A. D. Abell, B. K. Nabbs, A. R. Battersby, J. Org. Chem., 1998, 63, 8163-8169.

 

[91]    Drug design: The synthesis of conformationally restricted HIV protease inhibitors, A. D. Abell and B. C. H. May, Russian Journal of HIV/AIDS and Related Problems, 1998, 2(3), 79-81.

 

[92]    Synthesis and X-ray structure of a 1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-based phenylalanine mimetic, A. D. Abell, J. G. Gardiner, A. J. Phillips and W. T. Robinson, Tetrahedron Lett. 1998, 9563-9566.

 

[93]    Taxane anti-cancer compounds, A. J. Phillips and A.D. Abell, Chemistry in New Zealand, 1997, 61, 7-9.

 

[94]    The synthesis and X-ray crystallographic structure of leucine-phenylalanyl succinimide-based pseudopeptides, A. D. Abell and M. D. Oldham, J. Org. Chem., 1997, 62, 1509-1513.

 

[95]    Nuclear magnetic resonance characterization of 6a-chloro-5b-cholestane-3b,5-diol formed from the reaction of hypochlorous acid with cholesterol, A. C. Carr, C. C. Winterbourn, J. Blunt, A. J. Phillips and A. D. Abell, Lipids, 1997, 32, 363-367.

 

[96]    Chemistry of the mycalamides: Antiviral and antitumour compounds from a New Zealand marine sponge.  Part 6. The synthesis and testing of analogues of the C7-C10 fragment, A. D. Abell, J. W. Blunt, G. J. Foulds and M. H. G. Munro, J. Chem. Soc. Perkin Trans. 1, 1997, 1647-1654.

 

[97]    The chemistry and X-ray crystallographic structure of N-protected (5-oxo-1,3-oxazolidin-4-yl)acetic acids: Versatile intermediates in the synthesis of peptidomimetics, A. D. Abell, R. A. Edwards and M. D. Oldham, J. Chem. Soc. Perkin Trans. 1, 1997, 1655-1662.

 

[98]    The preparation and biological activity of tricyclic non-steroidal inhibitors of human  steroid 5a-reductase, A. D. Abell,  M. Brandt, M. A. Levy and D. A. Holt, J. Chem. Soc. Perkin Trans. 1,  1997, 1663-1667.

 

[99]    Synthesis of a cis-conformationally restricted peptide bond isostere and its application to the inhibition of the HIV-1 protease, A. D. Abell and G. Foulds,  J. Chem. Soc. Perkin Trans. 1,  1997, 2475-2482.

 

[100] Simpe cis-epoxide-based inhibitors of HIV-1 protease, A. D. Abell, D. A. Hoult, D. A. Bergman, D. P. Fairlie, Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 1997, 7, 2853-2856.

 

[101] X-Ray molecular structures of (2R,4S,1'S)-3-benzoyl-4-benzyl-4-[(1'-benzoylamino)benzyl]-2-phenyl-1,3-oxazolidin-5-one, (2R,4S,1'S)- and (2R,4S,1'R)-3-benzoyl-4-[(1'-benzoylamino)benzyl]-4-methylethyl-2-phenyl-1,3-oxazolidin-5-one, A.D. Abell, M.D. Oldham and J.M. Taylor, J. Chem. Soc. Perkin Trans. 1, 1996, 1299-1304.

 

[102]The preparation and evaluation of (+/-)-trans-1-diazo-8-methoxy-4a-methyl-1,2,3,4,4a,9,10,10a-octahydro-phenanthren-2-one as an inhibitor of human type-1 steroid 5a-reductase, A.D. Abell, M. Brandt, M.A. Levy and D.A. Holt, Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 1996, 6, 883-884.

 

[103] A comparison of steroidal and non-steroidal inhibitors of human steroid 5a-reductase:  New tricyclic aryl acid inhibitors of the type-1 isozyme, A.D. Abell, M. Brandt, M.A. Levy and D.A. Holt, Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 1996, 6, 481-484.

 

[104] The 1994 NZIC Easterfield award invited article: The inhibition of steroid 5a-reductase, A.D. Abell and B.R. Henderson, Chemistry in New Zealand, 1996, 60, 32-35.

 

[105] Steroidal and non-steroidal inhibitors of steroid 5a-reductase,  A.D. Abell and B.R. Henderson, Current Medicinal Chemistry, 1995, 2, 583-597.

 

[106] Benzophenone- and indolecarboxylic acids: Potent type-2 specific inhibitors of human steroid 5a-reductase,  D.A. Holt, D.S. Yamashita, A.L. Konialian-Beck, Y.I. Luengo, A.D. Abell, D.J. Bergsma, and M.A. Levy. J. Med. Chem., 1995, 38, 13-15.

 

[107] The synthesis of phenylalanine-based cyclic acylated enaminoester dipeptide analogues: Inhibitors of a-chymotrypsin.  X-ray molecular structure of (2'S,4'R)-4'-benzyl-3'-benzyloxycarbonyl-5'-oxo-2'-phenyloxazolidin-4'-ylacetic acid, A.D. Abell, M.D. Oldham and J.M. Taylor J. Chem. Soc. Perkin Trans. 1, 1995, 953-962.

 

[108] The synthesis of cyclic acylated enaminoesters from enollactones, 4-keto-amides and 5-hydroxylactams,  A.D. Abell, M.D. Oldham and J.M. Taylor. J. Org. Chem., 1995, 60, 1214-1220.

 

[109] Preparative chiral HPLC separation of all possible stereoisomers of LY191704 and LY266111 and their in vitro inhibition of recombinant human types 1 and 2 steroid 5a-reductase, A.D. Abell, D.A. Holt, K.F. Erhard, H-K Yen, D.S. Yamashita, M. Brandt, H. Mohammed and M.A. Levy.  Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters., 1994, 4, 1365-1368.

 

[110] A non-steroidal diene acid inhibitor of human type 2 steroid 5a-reductase, A.D. Abell, M. Brandt, M.A. Levy and  D.A. Holt. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 1994, 4, 2327-2330.

 

[111] Fast atom bombardment mass spectra of keto acid and keto ester phosphoranes, A.D. Abell, B.M. Clark, K.B. Morris, J.M. Taylor and G.J. Wright. Org. Mass Spectrom., 1993, 28, 27-29.

 

[112] Synthesis of acylated enaminoester dipeptide analogues via the bromination of a keto acid phosphorane,  A.D. Abell and J.M. Taylor. J. Org. Chem., 1993, 58, 14-15.

 

[113] Halolactonization of keto acid phosphoranes:  Synthesis of halo enol lactones,  A.D. Abell, D.A. Hoult, K.M. Morris, J.M. Taylor and J.O. Trent. J. Org. Chem., 1993, 58, 1531-1537.

 

[114] Synthesis and amino acid chain extension of 1-acylated hydroxymethylpyrroles, A.D. Abell and J.C. Litten. Aust. J. Chem., 1993, 46, 1473-1483.

 

[115] Synthesis and hydrolysis of phenylalanine-proline analogues with latent reactivity A.D. Abell and J.C. Litten. Tetrahedron Lett ., 1992, 3005-3008.

 

[116] Synthesis of 1,2-disubstituted pyrroles:  A cis peptide surrogate, A.D. Abell, D.A. Hoult  and E.J. Jamieson. Tetrahedron Lett.,  1992, 5831-5832.

 

[117] Reactions of 1,4-dimethyl-4-nitrocyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-yl acetates with nitrogen dioxide;  the formation of polynitro cyclohexenyl esters, A.D. Abell, M.P. Hartshorn, M.E. Maclennan, W.T. Robinson and G.J. Wright. Aust. J. Chem., 1991, 44, 43-51.

 

[118] Carboxyl-to-ketone dimeric and catemeric hydrogen bonding in a keto acid phosphorane:  X-ray structure of 6-ethoxycarbonyl-5-oxo-6-(triphenylphosphoranylidene)hexanoic acid, A.D. Abell, J.O. Trent and W.T. Robinson. J. Chem. Soc. Chem. Commun., 1991, 362-363.

 

[119] A combined X-ray crystallographic and infrared and Raman spectroscopic study of hydrogen bonding patterns in keto acid phosphoranes, A.D. Abell, J.O. Trent and K.B. Morris. J. Chem. Soc. Perkin Trans. 2, 1991, 1077-1083.

 

[120] A single crystal X-ray analysis of a novel intramolecular hydrogen bonded biphenyl phosphorane, A.D. Abell, K.B. Morris and V. McKee, Aust. J. Chem., 1990, 43, 765-771.

 

[121] Synthesis and deprotection of 1-ethoxycarbonyl-4-diphenyl-methoxycarbonyl-1-methyl-2-oxobutyltriphenylphosphonium chloride:  A key intermediate in the Wittig reaction between a cyclic anhydride and a stabilized ylide, A.D. Abell, K.B. Morris and J.C. Litten. J. Org. Chem., 1990, 55, 5217-5221.

 

[122] A novel bromo lactonization of acylated phosphoranes.  A new route to bromo enol lactones, A.D. Abell and J.O. Trent, J. Chem. Soc. Chem. Commun., 1989, 409.

 

[123] Low temperature nuclear magnetic resonance study of the acylation of a stabilized ylide:  C- vs O-Acylation, A.D. Abell, J.O. Trent and B.I. Whittington, J. Org. Chem., 1989, 54, 2762.

 

[124] Structural investigations of phosphoranes.  A single-crystal X-ray analysis of 1-ethoxycarbonyl-2-oxopropylidenetriphenylphosphorane, A.D. Abell, B.M. Clark and W.T. Robinson, Aust. J. Chem., 1989, 42, 1161.

 

[125] Reactions of 4-methyl-1-methylethyl-4-nitrocyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-yl acetates with nitrogen dioxide; towards a mechanism for the formation of polynitro cyclohexenyl esters on reaction of p-cymene with nitrogen dioxide in acetic anhydride, A.D. Abell, M.P. Hartshorn, W.T. Robinson, A.G. Waller and G.J. Wright, Aust. J. Chem., 1989, 42, 2225-2242.

 

[126] A mechanistic study of the Wittig reaction between a cyclic anhydride and a stabilized phosphorane, A.D. Abell, B.M. Clark and W.T. Robinson, Aust. J. Chem., 1988, 41, 1243.

 

[127] Stereochemistry of formation of the hydroxymethyl group of hydroxymethylbilane, the precursor of uro'gen-III, J-R Schauder, S. Jendrezejewski, A.D. Abell, G.J. Hart and A.R. Battersby, J. Chem. Soc. Chem. Commun., 1987, 436.

 

[128] Synthesis of dialkyl hex-2-yne-1,6-dioates and hept-2-yne-1,7-dioates, A.D. Abell, G.W. Heinicke and R.A. Massy-Westropp, Synthesis, 1985, 764.

 

[129] Regioselective bond cleavage and coordination effects in the reduction of some acetals with lithium in ammonia, A.D. Abell and R.A. Massy-Westropp, Tetrahedron, 1985, 41, 2451.

 

[130] Mechanism of acetal cleavage with methylmagnesium iodide, A.D. Abell and R.A. Massy-Westropp, Aust. J. Chem., 1985, 38, 1031.

 

[131] Rearrangement of freelingyne with base, A.D. Abell, R.A. Massy-Westropp and G.D. Reynolds, Aust. J. Chem., 1985, 38, 1129.

 

[132] Eremophilane and serrulatane terpenoids from Eremophila rotundifolia, A.D. Abell and R.A. Massy-Westropp, Aust. J. Chem., 1985, 38, 1263.

 

[133] The structure of a stable serrulatane diterpenoid acetal from Eremophila rotundifolia, A.D. Abell, E. Horn, G.P. Jones, M.R. Snow, R.A. Massy-Westropp and R. Riccio, Aust. J. Chem., 1985, 38, 1837.

 

[134] Stereospecific formation of tetrahydrofurans from substituted 2,8-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-ylmethanols, A.D. Abell, E. Dimitriadis and R.A. Massy-Westropp, Aust. J. Chem., 1984, 37, 395.

 

[135] Aspects of the mechanism of the Wittig reaction between cyclic anhydrides and stabilized phosphoranes, A.D. Abell and R.A. Massy-Westropp, Aust. J. Chem., 1982, 35, 2077.

 

[136] The Wittig reaction with glutaric and succinic anhydrides, A.D. Abell, I.R. Doyle and R.A. Massy-Westropp, Aust. J. Chem., 1982, 35, 2277.

 

 

B.  Books Edited

 

• Abell, A. D. editor 'Advances in Peptidomimetics and amino acid mimics', JAI Press, USA, Volume 2, 1999, 300 pages.

 

• Abell, A. D. editor 'Advances in Peptidomimetics and amino acid mimics', JAI Press, USA, Volume 1, 1997, 302 pages.

Entry last updated: Monday, 14 Nov 2011