Welcome to the website for the Collins Group, a synthetic chemistry research group led by Dr Beatrice Collins based in the School of Chemistry at the University of Bristol. Our research is focused on the design and development of autonomously operating molecular motors. Our approach involves the use of modern synthetic methodologies—transition metal catalysis, photochemistry, enzymatic biocatalysis—to tackle the challenges posed by the development of these out-of-equilibrium functional molecular systems.
To learn more about our research programme and who we are, please explore the website. For more information you can contact Beatrice directly by email.
RECENT NEWS
September 2022 - Welcome Jamie!
Joining us after his Masters at Bristol, Jamie has decided to Join us for a Ph.D. in iterative functionalization methodology.
September 2022 - Congratulations Aidan!
A huge congratulations to Aidan McFord for submitting his thesis for examination! We're all looking forward to your Viva.
June 2022 - Welcome Sarah!
After a CDT rotation project in the group, Sarah has decided to Join us for a Ph.D. the use of cyclic reaction networks for the development of new synthetic methodologies
October 2021 - Welcome Charlotte!
After recently finishing her Ph.D. at Birmingham University, Charlotte joins us to work on a new project using oscillating photostationary states for molecular cargo transport.
June 2021 - Goodbye Greg!
After 1.5 years with the group Dr Grzegorz Pikus is leaving us to pursue new work opportunities as a Senior Scientist at Charles River in London. We wish to thank him for his excellent job on the project and wish him all the best for his future research.
May 2021 - Congratulations to the Merck Competition Team
We want to congratulate our team of Greg, Jordan, Ben, Aidan, Michael, Olly and Carlijn who competed in the 3rd Annual Merck Compound Challenge and have come in the top 15 out of 243 teams! Well done everyone!
April 2021 - Goodbye Carlijn!
We wave goodbye to Carlijn and wish her all the best for her future research. Thank you for doing such a brilliant job on the project!
January 2021 - Welcome Jordan and Carlijn
Carlijn joins us group from the Feringa Group in the Netherlands and will be working with Michael for the next 3 months on linear molecular-level motion.
Jordan joins the group from Strasbourg as a new post-doc to work in collaboration with the group of Professor Jonathan Clayden on a biocatalytically-driven autonomous rotary molecular motor.
Welcome to both of our new team members!
December 2020 - New Horizons Award
Beatrice is awarded a New Horizons Award from UKRI for a project entitled "Oscillating Photostationary States for Molecular Cargo Transport". This award will support a postdoctoral research associate to work on autonomous light-fuelled motion at the molecular level.