Dr Ryan Mewis

Research Interests

My research interests are focused on the use of SABRE (Signal Amplification By Reversible Exchange) in high resolution NMR and MRI applications. The SABRE methodology utilises parahydrogen, a molecule which possesses only one spin state, in order to polarise molecules of interest non-hydrogenatively (unlike conventional PHIP (ParaHydrogen Induced Polarisation) methods). A metal catalyst is used to bring into contact the molecule of interest and parahydrogen. J-coupling between parahydrogen derived hydride ligands and the spin ½ nuclei of the molecule of interest facilitates polarisation transfer. This results in a non-Boltzmann distribution of spins in the analyte, which can be probed using radio-frequency pulses. Signal amplitudes obtained in this way are far larger than those obtained under normal conditions, thus enabling previously undetectable molecules to be detected (such as reaction intermediates) whilst also reducing the amount of time required to collect high quality images / spectra.

Currently, I am focused on the investigation of the following

Catalyst design and how this influences catalyst activity
Pulse sequence design associated with 1D and 2D spectroscopic methods
Flow system apparatus design and implementation in NMR and MRI

Publications

Papers

Lyrelle S. Lloyd, Ralph W. Adams, Michael Bernstein, Steven Coombes, Simon B. Duckett, Gary G. R. Green, Richard Lewis, Ryan E. Mewis, Christopher Sleigh “Utilization of SABRE derived hyperpolarization to detect low concentration analytes via 1D- and 2D-NMR methods”, JACS, 2012, accepted
Rachel Smith, Dana Huskens, Ryan E. Mewis, Christophe Pannecouque, Erik De Clercq, Dominique Schols, Timothy J. Hubin, Stephen J. Archibald “Metal ion containing CXCR4 chemokine receptor antagonists: nickel(II) complexes of configurationally restricted macrocycles”, Dalton Trans., 2012, accepted
Simon. B. Duckett, R. E. Mewis “Application of parahydrogen induced polarization techniques in NMR spectroscopy and imaging“ Acc. Chem. Res, 2012, http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/ar2003094
Richard A. Green, Ralph W. Adams, Simon B. Duckett, Ryan E. Mewis, David C. Williamson, Gary G.R. Green “The theory and practice of hyperpolarization in magnetic resonance using parahydrogen”, Prog, Nuc. Mag. Res. Spec, 2012, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pnmrs.2012.03.001
Cowley M. J., Adams R. W., Atkinson K. D., Cockett M. C. R., Duckett S. B., Green G. G. R., Lohman J. A. B., Kerssebaum R., Kilgour D., and Mewis R. E., JACS, 2011, 133, 6134.
Sparke, A. E.; Fisher, C. M.; Mewis, R. E.; Archibald, S. J. Tetrahedron Lett.2010, 51, 4723.
Mewis, R. E.; Archibald, S. J.Coord. Chem. Rev.2010, 254, 1686.
Mewis, R. E.; Savoie, H.; Archibald, S. J.; Boyle, R. W. Photodiagnosis Photodyn. Ther.2009, 6, 200.

Conference abstracts

R.W. Adams, K.D. Atkinson, M.J. Cowley, S.B. Duckett, G.R. Green, R.A. Green, R. E. Mewis, D. Williamson, Transfer of Parahydrogen Derived Spin Order Sensitizes MRI and NMR Measurements by Three Orders of Magnitude, WWMR 2010 Book of Abstracts, p. 41.

Educational book reviews

Mewis, R. E. Reviews2010, 11, 40.
Mewis, R. E. Reviews2010, 11, 36.
Mewis, R. E. Reviews2010, 11, 19.
Mewis, R. E. Reviews2009, 10, 16.
Mewis, R. E. Reviews2009, 10, 42.

Conference presentations

June/July 2012	Euromar 2012 Presented a poster entitled “Probing the magnetic states of nicotinamide created by Signal Amplification By Reversible Exchange”
June 2012	COST meeting on Hyperpolarisation Presented a talk entitled “Data acquisition strategies for use with SABRE”
June 2011	NMR Discussion Group Meeting Presented a talk entitled “Automation of the Signal Amplification By Reversible Exchange (SABRE) process produces a viable NMR and MRI tool”
July 2010	Dalton Division North of England Regional Meeting Presented a talk entitled “Signal Amplification by Reversible exchange (SABRE) in conjunction with a flow probe”
July 2008	RSC Dalton Division Regional Meeting Presented a talk on “Redox active macrocyclic complexes: potential applications in MRI”
Dec 2007	RSC Macrocyclic and Supramolecular Chemistry Group Meeting Presentation of a poster entitled “Water-soluble gallium porphyrins: selective cytotoxic photodynamic activity”
Sept 2007	Dalton Transactions 10: Applications of Metals in Medicine and Healthcare Presentation of a poster entitled “Water-soluble gallium porphyrins: selective cytotoxic photodynamic activity”
Dec 2006	University of Hull Clinical Biosciences Postgraduate Conference Presented a talk entitled “Novel Biotin Bioconjugates labelled with Gallium

Invited talks

October 2011- University of Derby. Talk entitled “Utilisation of the Hyperpolarisation Technique SABRE : Chemical and Biological Applications”.
March 2011- The Rank Prize Funds Symposium on Chemical Process Meets Medicine over MRI. Presented a talk on “Signal Amplification by Reversible exchange (SABRE) in conjunction with a flow probe” to an invited audience.

University Education

MChem(Hons)

2001-2005 from the University of Hull

PhD 2005-2009

University of Hull;

"Synthesis of Macrocyclic Complexes: Biomedical Applications"

Supervisors: Drs Archibald and Boyle