Sebastian Cosgrove

Biography

Originally from Bradford in West Yorkshire, I moved to the University of Manchester for my undergraduate degree. I spent a year working for Syngenta at Jealott’s Hill before a final year project with Prof David Procter working on samarium diiodide reductions. I then moved to the University of Leeds to undertake a PhD with Prof Steve Marsden, working on metal-free photochemical C-N bond formation. This was followed by 3 and a half years in the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology. I moved with an EPSRC Doctoral Prize Fellowship to work with Prof Nick Turner, looking at the combination of biocatalysts with precious-metal catalysis. After spending another year or so working with Nick and Prof Sabine Flitsch, I joined Prof Nigel Scrutton in the Future Biomanufacturing Research Hub to work on continuous flow biocatalysis. I came to Keele as a lecturer in organic chemistry in November 2020.

Research and scholarship

Our group focusses on the use of enzymes for synthetic chemistry (Biocatalysis). Specifically, we are interested in enzyme and process engineering to develop better bioprocesses for the production of important synthetic molecules, with a strong focus on enzyme immobilisation and continuous flow. We work closely with academic and industrial partners to achieve these aims, with a particular interest in oxidase enzymes, carbohydrate-active enzymes and nucleic acid-active enzymes.

For more information or if you are interested in collaborating with us or joining us, please visit our group website (www.cosgrovelab.co.uk), follow our X account (@scosgrove123) or get in touch with Seb via email.

Teaching

• CHE-10085: Chemistry Connections
• CHE-20037: Industrial Chemistry
• CHE-20055: Molecular Chemistry and Reactions
• CHE-30060: Topics in Chemistry
• CHE-40048: Advanced Topics in Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry