RSC Advances Blog

We are delighted to introduce the next contribution to our New Principal Investigators collection.

Read the paper

Design strategies for organelle-selective fluorescent probes: where to start?

Samira Husen Alamudi and Yong-An Lee

Tracking changes inside cells is essential for understanding both normal biological functions and disease processes. Fluorescent probes are valuable tools for this purpose, offering advantages over genetically encoded alternatives. Despite significant advances in organelle-specific probes, several challenges persist. This work highlights key design strategies for such probes, including cellular uptake mechanisms and the interplay between the properties of the target organelle and the physicochemical characteristics of the probe. Additionally, it showcases recent advancements and  addresses current challenges in the development of organelle-targeted fluorescent probes.

Meet the Principal Investigator

After completing her BSc at Universitas Indonesia (UI), Samira Husen Alamudi received her PhD in chemistry from the National University of Singapore (NUS) in 2015 under the supervision of Prof. Young-Tae Chang. She then pursued postdoctoral studies at NUS and later worked as a Research Fellow at the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, with Prof. Young-Tae Chang and Prof. Ichiro Hirao until 2021. She subsequently worked in the biotechnology industry before joining UI in 2023, where she is currently an assistant professor. Her research interests include the development of small fluorescent probes for monitoring intracellular dynamics in native cellular environments.

You’ve recently started your own group, what are the big research question/s your group will be focussing on?

Our research focuses on advancing the development of fluorescent probes for monitoring intracellular dynamics in native cellular  environments. While numerous target-specific probes exist, many still face classic challenges such as poor selectivity, membrane impermeability, high background noise, and instability in complex biological systems. We aim to address these limitations by leveraging structure-function relationships to design effective labelling tools. Ultimately, our goal is to contribute innovative molecular tools that can drive new biological discoveries and therapeutic advancements.

What inspired you to get into science?

My fascination with science began at an early age when I asked my father, “What makes us human?” and “What lies behind the moon?“, to which he responded with “Those are such big questions for such a little girl“, only fueled my curiosity further. During high school, I became deeply intrigued by how biomolecules interact to create life’s complexity. This passion for chemical biology solidified during my doctoral studies when I first encountered the power of fluorescence imaging. The ability to visualize cellular processes in vibrant colors was captivating, revealing hidden aspects of biology behind beautiful images. This further inspired me to develop tools that could aid in disease diagnosis, drug discovery, and beyond.

What advice would you give to those who are seeking their first group leader position?

Starting a research group is both an exciting and daunting transition. To succeed as a group leader, it is essential to embrace both the scientific and leadership aspects of the role. One of the most important lessons I have learned is the value of prioritizing mentorship and building strategic collaborations. Investing time in fostering a supportive and collaborative environment helps students thrive, while establishing meaningful partnerships accelerates progress and creates new opportunities. Science is a long journey, but with passion and perseverance, it is undoubtedly a rewarding one.

We are delighted to introduce the first contribution to our New Principal Investigators collection.

Read the paper

Cystine crystal nucleation and decay in the context of cystinuria pathogenesis and treatment

Kimberley Noble and Oisín N. Kavanagh

Meet the Principal Investigator

Oisín N. Kavanagh is a pharmacist and Senior Lecturer in Pharmaceutics at the School of Pharmacy, Newcastle University and Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. He received the Gold Medal from the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland in 2017 and completed his clinical training in his hometown of Derry before moving to the University of Limerick to undertake his PhD. He was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to the School of Pharmacy, University of Michigan and was subsequently appointed to a Lectureship at Newcastle University in 2021. His research interests are centred around the relationship between drug physical properties and their pharmacokinetics. He is PI for multiple research streams funded by government and charitable organisations. This includes an EPSRC-funded project (EP/Y014596/1) investigating drug-induced crystalluria and a project funded by Action Medical Research/LifeArc focused on engineering new drug formulations for cystinosis, a rare disease.

Check out the video below where Oisín summarises his recent paper:

You’ve recently started your own group, what are the big research question/s your group will be focussing on?

The central vision for my team is to develop fundamental understanding to describe the relationships between drug supersaturation and pharmacokinetics. This has brought us to work on two applications (1) crystal engineering to modulate the pharmacokinetics of absorption and (2) contextualising supersaturation processes in the kidney with pharmacokinetics to predict drug induced crystalluria.

What inspired you to get into science?

If I cast my mind back, I can’t remember ever wanting to be anything other than a scientist. I suppose the path forward became a little clearer during my time at university, where I studied Pharmacy. There, I developed a solid foundation in pharmaceutical sciences and worked every summer in the research labs of Professor John Callan. This experience was formative for me.

What advice would you give to those who are seeking their first group leader position?

This is a difficult path and there are moments when things look bleak… in those times, try to remember why you’re doing this – and then get at it!