Research Interests

We have become increasingly interested in the use of stable isotope labeled compounds in drugs and diagnostics, while we retain strengths in free radical biology in melanoma and infectious disease. Our current projects are:

1.  How can we use stable isotope labeled tracer compounds to both detect lung infections by a range of bacterial pathogens and to monitor their treatment. We rely upon unique bacterial chemistry to produce labeled compounds for analysis, predominantly by breath testing.

2.  How can we use stable isotope labeled drugs and dosage forms to improve both API activity, and enable counterfeit dosage form detection.

3.  How we can use advanced nanostructured matrices to provide live cell TB vaccines of improved stability and immunogenicity

4.  How melanin acts as photosensitizer in melanoma formation, and how can this be inhibited to protect against melanoma ?

Education

• University of Leeds, UK, BSc Biochemistry, 1986

• University of Leeds, UK, PhD Biochemistry 1990

Selected Publications

Stable isotope-labeled excipients for drug product identification and counterfeit detection. Felton LA, Shah PP, Sharp Z, Atudorei V, Timmins GS. Drug Dev Ind Pharm. 2011 Jan;37(1):88-92.

13[C]-urea breath test as a novel point-of-care biomarker for tuberculosis treatment and diagnosis. Jassal MS, Nedeltchev GG, Lee JH, Choi SW, Atudorei V, Sharp ZD, Deretic V,Timmins GS, Bishai WR.PLoS One. 2010 Aug 27;5(8):e12451

Confinement-induced quorum sensing of individual Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. Carnes EC, Lopez DM, Donegan NP, Cheung A, Gresham H, Timmins GS, Brinker CJ.Nat Chem Biol. 2010 Jan;6(1):41-5.

Pharmacological modulation of cGMP levels by phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors as a therapeutic strategy for treatment of respiratory pathology in cystic fibrosis. Poschet JF, Timmins GS, Taylor-Cousar JL, Ornatowski W, Fazio J, Perkett E, Wilson KR, Yu HD, de Jonge HR, Deretic V. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. 2007 Sep;293(3):L712-9

Melanoma, long wavelength ultraviolet and sunscreens: controversies and potential resolutions. Lund LP, Timmins GS. Pharmacol Ther. 2007 May;114(2):198-207

Issued Patents

Diagnosis of P. aeruginosa Infection in the Lungs of Patients
U.S. Patent 7,717,857, issued 5/18/2010

Non-Invasive Rapid Diagnostic Test for M. Tuberculosis Infection
U.S. Patent 7,897,400, issued 3/1/2011 (Graham Timmins, Vojo Deretic)

System and Methods for Measuring a Skin Protection Factor
U.S. Patent 7,888,001, issued 2/15/2011 (Graham Timmins)

Patents Pending

Rationally improved isoniazid and ethionamide derivatives and activity through selective isotopic substitution WO/2009/025820 (Graham Timmins, Sharon Master, Vojo Deretic, William Bishai)

System and methods of melanoma prevention 20110021623 (Graham Timmins, Leslie Lund)