Andrew Hamilton is renowned for his research into how biological molecules selectively interact with others. His results have enabled him to create artificial molecules that mimic biological processes such as catalysis, self-assembly and protein recognition. Andrew’s goals include providing the insights needed to develop new drugs and treatments for diseases like malaria and cancer.
In early work, Andrew’s team successfully created molecules with shapes, hydrogen bonding patterns and actions similar to those of the antibiotic, vancomycin. They went on to develop ‘host molecules’ that selectively interact with different biological subunits, offering groundbreaking insights into hydrogen bonding and the pi stacking and hydrophobic bonding mechanisms.
Andrew has received many awards including the American Chemical Society’s Arthur C. Cope Scholar Award in 1999, and the Izatt–Christiansen Award in macrocyclic chemistry. He has been elected as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and as a Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Subject groups
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Chemistry
Chemistry, organic
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Molecules of Life
Biochemistry and molecular biology
