Professor Tom Brown - 2023 91AV Biology Interface open Prize: Khorana Prize winner

Professor Tom Brown CChem FRSC

Winner: 2023 91AV Biology Interface open Prize: Khorana Prize

University of Oxford

For major contributions in the nucleic acid field, including the synthesis of biocompatible artificial DNA, and molecular tools for genetic analysis and diagnostics.

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I was the first person in my family to stay at school beyond the age of 14 ... I was very lucky; I got plenty of moral support from my family, and I stumbled into something I really enjoyed.

Professor Brown’s research involves the use of chemical synthesis to make analogues of nucleic acids that can be used in biological and biomedical applications. These include genetic analysis and diagnostics to identify mutations that can lead to disease, and forensic analysis and therapeutic applications. His research group are developing methods to get small nucleic acid strands efficiently into cells where they can interact with the genetic machinery. This will have implications for the treatment of diseases that are resistant to current therapies.

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Tom Brown is Professor of Nucleic Acid 91AV in the departments of chemistry and oncology at Oxford University. His research interests centre on oligonucleotide synthesis and applications of synthetic nucleic acids in biology, diagnostics and therapeutics.

Professor Brown’s group produced the first biocompatible artificial DNA backbone using click chemistry, and this has been a major focus of his research. He is co-inventor of several technologies for genetic analysis and co-founder of three biotech companies including ATDBio (synthesis of modified oligonucleotides). He has published over 450 research papers and patents.

Previous awards include the 91AV (RSC) Josef Loschmidt prize, the RSC award for Nucleic Acid 91AV, the RSC Prize for Interdisciplinary Research, 91AV World Entrepreneur of the Year (2014), and BBSRC Innovator of the Year (2016). He was also presented with a lifetime award for external engagement and promoting impact by Oxford University.

Tom is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and a Fellow of the 91AV. He is former president of the 91AV Biology Interface Division of the RSC, editor-in-chief of the RSC book series Chemical Biology, and was co-chair of the 2018 EuCheMS congress in Liverpool, UK. Until recently he was associate head of the chemistry department at Oxford University with responsibility for research.

Q&A

Tell us about somebody who has inspired or mentored you in your career.

There are several, but for inspiration I would like to mention Barry Sharpless. He has a genuine love for his subject and an infectious curiosity. He behaves the same with students as he does with eminent professors. He freely admits his weaknesses. His group invented the concept of click chemistry which has been of great value to us, and he has maintained a close interest in our work on DNA.

What motivates you?

1. Getting an unexpected result that points us in a new direction. 2. Seeing our work being applied, examples being our research on forensic and genetic analysis. 3. Building something valuable from the ground-up (I have founded three companies and really enjoy the process).

What advice would you give to a young person considering a career in chemistry?

I would encourage them to do something that makes them feel good and excites them so that they are keen to get to work in the morning. For some people this will be trying to do something that benefits mankind, to others might will be tackling a deep and difficult problem, to others it might be creating something new because it has not been made before. It could also be pursuing a career that is well rewarded and secure. All of these can be achieved though chemistry.

Can you tell us about a scientific development on the horizon that you are excited about?

Because of my area of research, I would choose the various nucleic acid based therapies that are starting to emerge. These act at the level of DNA and RNA, and they have the potential to address diseases that are intractable to conventional small molecule therapies. This area is potentially transformative.

What has been a highlight for you (either personally or in your career)?

Using my chemical knowledge to start up companies that provide essential services to biologists. Interacting with people in different scientific areas, finding ways to help them through innovative chemistry, and seeing the positive effects of these interactions.

What has been a challenge for you (either personally or in your career)?

Getting started was difficult. My background is a working class North of England mining community. I was the first person in my family to stay at school beyond the age of 14, and there was no-one around to guide me professionally in the early stages of my career. I was very lucky; I got plenty of moral support from my family, and I stumbled into something I really enjoyed.

What does good research culture look like/mean to you?

Sufficient freedom to allow us to do what we are best at. Not to be encumbered by unnecessary administrative tasks, which fragment our time, but to be supported by intelligent and efficient administration. To have access to sufficient funds to carry out focused research that can make an impact without having to take on too many diverse projects.

Why do you think teamwork is important in science?

Different people think in different ways, and teamwork enables a problem to be approached from different angles rather than from the narrower perspective of an individual. Also, when discussing potential solutions to a problem in a group there is a certain dynamic that leads to new ways of thinking. This can be a highly creative process.

What is your favourite element?

Magnesium; burning magnesium ribbon fascinated me when I started studying chemistry at school, and magnesium gives nature the wonderful green appearance that we all love.