Gerard McGlacken is a Professor in Organic Chemistry at the School of Chemistry, and Vice-Dean of Research and Innovation at the College of Science, Engineering and Food Science at UCC. He leads a group of 12 PhD Candidates and Postdoctoral Researchers in the area of sustainable organic synthesis.

Professor McGlacken obtained his B.Sc. at the National University of Ireland, Galway.  He worked with Prof. Ian J. S. Fairlamb in the University of York (UK) before undertaking a ‘Molecular Design and Synthesis Post-Doctoral Fellowship’ at Florida State University (US) with Prof. Robert A. Holton. In 2007, he obtained a Lectureship position at University College Cork.

His current research is in the area of sustainable organic synthesis applied to biologically significant molecules. Professor McGlacken has authored over 90 peer-reviewed publications and has received over 3000 citations. He is also a named author on a number of patents in the UK and USA. He has received ca. €5 million in competitive research funding.

Professor McGlacken works closely with the Pharmaceutical Industry both in Ireland and the United States and has received applied grants with Eli Lilly (2010) and Merck (2015) as part of the Enterprise Ireland Innovation Partnership programme.

Professor McGlacken’s research focuses on 3 key areas - asymmetric synthesis, organometallic transformations and synthesis of non-traditional antibiotics and biomarker detection.

Asymmetric Synthesis

A: The synthesis of chiral α-substituted ketones  

The introduction of such a chiral centre is challenging but potentially very useful to the Pharmaceutical Sector. (-)-Sparteine, isolated from thermopsis lanceolatais plant is chiral. We use this inbuilt chirality from nature and transfer it to ketones.  

B: The synthesis of chiral amino acids.   

The 1,3-hydroxyketone in a very common and important moiety in pharmaceutical compounds. This project involves the asymmetric synthesis of these compounds containing two, three or even more centres all in the one-pot experiment.   

Area 2 Organometallic transformations   

The abundance of the biaryl structural motif in natural products, biologically active molecules and in materials chemistry has positioned aryl-aryl (Ar-Ar) bond formation high on the agenda of synthetic chemists. Compared to traditional methods, direct arylation affords ArAr compounds in fewer steps by removing the need for pre-functionalisation.

Area 3 Synthesis of non-traditional antibiotics and biomarker detection

Bacteria produce small-molecule signals to help coordinate their behaviour. This communication system serves many purposes, including cooperative tasks such as the formation of protective biofilms. These protective sheets greatly impair the effectiveness of antibiotics. This, added to the growing resistance to antibiotics, necessitates an alternative look at treating bacteria infections. We prepare analogues of bacteria communication molecules to interrupt their communication systems and prevent biofilm formation.

Professor McGlacken has completed a Certificate in 'Teaching and Learning in Higher Education' and he is undertaking a Higher Diploma in 'Teaching and Learning in Higher Education'. He currently teaches on:

• CM1000 Introduction to Chemistry
• CM2006 Aromatics, Carbonyls and Alkenes
• CM3101 Natural Products and Reaction Mechanisms
• CM3022 Synthesis, Structure and Reactivity of Organic Compounds
• CM4101 Physical Organic Chemistry
• CM4022 Advanced Organic Synthesis, Biosynthesis and Reactivity (Tutor)

Professor McGlacken has previously taught on NU2047, CM1003, CM1005, CM3001, CM3004.

Professor McGlacken has served as Second Year Coordinator in the BSc Chemistry of Pharmaceutical Compounds degree course from 2009 - 2013 and is currently the Module Coordinator for CM2006, CM3022 and for the Final Year Project in the Chemistry of Pharmaceutical Compounds Degree (CM4203).