Professor Babur Chowdhry

Professor Babur Chowdhry obtained a BSc Hons in Chemistry/Biochemistry in 1976 from Chelsea College (London University), followed by a PhD in Biophysical Chemistry at the same institution in 1980. From 1980–84 he was a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Chemistry, Yale University, USA.

His post-doctoral work centred on experimental thermodynamics using, among other techniques, high sensitivity differential scanning calorimetry. Much of the work involved detailed calorimetric studies in the burgeoning areas of liposome phase transitions and protein denaturation.

Professor Chowdhry joined the School of Sciences at the University of Greenwich in 1985 as a Lecturer in chemistry, biochemistry and biotechnology and was appointed to the Foundation Chair of Biochemistry in 1993.

Responsibilities within the university

Prof. B. Z. Chowdhry represents the School of Science on the Research Degrees Committee (RDC) of the University of Greenwich, and is deputy co-chair of the RDC.

Responsibilities within the university

Professor Chowdhry teaches on a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes.

Undergraduate participation

Analytical and Advanced Protein Biochemistry (course leader), Fundamentals of Biochemistry' Metabolism and Disease' Bioanalytical Techniques, Physiology and Pharmacology, Drug Design and Delivery, Immunology, Advanced Physical Chemistry, Research Project Biological Science 

Postgraduate participation

MSc Biotechnology, MSc Pharmaceutical Science

MPhil/PhD Supervision

Shanti Anandan, Sunanda Mangalgri, Ali Reza Salimian, Zakieh Al Kurdi, Nichola Gaunt

Research collaborations and consultancy

Professor Chowdhry welcomes:

• scientific collaborations, particularly in the areas of spectroscopy and thermal analysis, from both a blue skies (knowledge base) point of view and an applied (industrial) perspective. Possible research collaborations in areas such as medicinal chemistry, chemical biology and a general analytical chemistry/ biochemistry perspective are also of significant scientific interest.
• consultancy, in the broad areas/themes of scientific research alluded to in 1) above. Interested individuals/organizations are encouraged to view the wide range of expertise, wet and instrumental analysis methods/techniques available in the School of Science.

Publications

Refereed Research Publications (2011)

(1)”Vibrational spectra and structures of the anions of urazole and 4-methylurazole: DFT calculations of the normal modes and the influence of hydrogen bonding”
John P. Ryall, Trevor J. Dines, Babur Z. Chowdhry, Stephen A. Leharne, Robert Withnall
[Spectrochimica Acta Part A 78, 918–925 (2011)]

(2) “Vibrational spectroscopy and DFT calculations of N, N'–dicyclohexylcarbodiimide”
Babur Z. Chowdhry, Trevor J. Dines, Stephen A. Leharne, John P. Ryall, Iqbal T. Shadi and Robert Withnall
[J. Raman Spectrosc. 42, 230–238 (2011)]

(3) “Factors Involved in Formulation of Oily Delivery System for Proteins Based on PEG-8 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides and Polyglyceryl-6 Dioleate in a Mixture of Oleic Acid with Chitosan”
Shereen M. Assaf, Nawzat D. Al-Jbour, Ala’a F. Eftaiha, Amani M. Elsayed, Mayyas M. Al-Remawi, Nidal A. Qinna, Babur Chowdhry, Stephen Leharne, and Adnan A. Badwan
[Journal of Dispersion Science and Technology, 32:1–11 (2011)]

(4) “Chitin”
Nidal H. Daraghmeh, Babur Z. Chowdhry,Stephen A. Leharne, Mahmoud M. Al Omari, and Adnan A. Badwan
[Chapter 2; pp 35-102 in Profiles of Drug Substances, Excipients, and Related Methodology, 36, 2011, Ed: H. Brittain, Elsevier Inc.
ISSN 1871-5125, DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-12-387667-6.00002-6]

(5) “Magnesium Silicate”
Iyad Rashid, Nidal H. Daraghmeh, Mahmoud M. Al Omari, Babur Z. Chowdhry, Stephen A. Leharne, Hamdallah A. Hodali, and Adnan A. Badwan
[Chapter 7; pp 241-285 in Profiles of Drug Substances, Excipients, and Related Methodology, 36, 2011, Ed: H. Brittain, Elsevier Inc.
ISSN 1871-5125, DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-12-387667-6.00007-5]

(6) Essential and trace elements content of commercial infant foods in the UK
N. Zand, B. Z. Chowdhry, F. B. Zotor, D. S. Wray, P.Amuna and F. S. Pullen
[Food Chemistry 128, 123-128 (2011)]

(7) A novel multifunctional pharmaceutical excipient: modification of the permeability of starch by processing with magnesium silicate
Iyad Rashid, Mayyas Al-Remawi, Stephen A. Leharne, Babur Z. Chowdhry, Adnan Badwan
[Int. J. Pharm. 411, 18–26 (2011)]

(8) X-ray Crystallographic Structure of the Cyclic Di-amino acid peptide: N,N '-Diacetyl-Cyclo(Gly-Gly)
Andrew P. Mendham, John Spencer, Babur Z. Chowdhry, Trevor J. Dines, Muhammad Mujahid, Rex A. Palmer, Graham J. Tizzard, Simon J. Coles
[J. Chem. Cryst. 41, 1328-1334 (2011); DOI 10.1007/s10870-011-0097-4]

(9) X-ray Crystallographic Structure and Absolute Configuration of the Cyclic Di-amino Acid Peptide: Cyclo(L-HomoCySH-L-HomoCySH)
Andrew P. Mendham, John Spencer, Babur Z. Chowdhry, Trevor J. Dines, Muhammad Mujahid, Rex A. Palmer, Graham J. Tizzard, Simon J. Coles
[ J. Chem. Cryst. 41, 1328-1334 (2011); DOI 10.1007/s10870-011-0098-3]

Refereed Research Manuscripts in Press (2011)

(1) “The effects of ethylene oxide-propylene oxide-ethylene oxide block copolymers on the physical properties of soils”
Kerstin Hagenhoff, Jingfeng Dong, Babur Chowdhry, Luis Torres and Stephen Leharne
[Physics and Chemistry of the Earth (2011); doi:10.1016/j.pce.2011.04.005]

(2) “The impact of four ethylene oxide-propylene oxide block co-polymers on the surface tension of dispersions of soils and minerals in water”
Kerstin Hagenhoff, Jingfeng Dong, Babur Chowdhry, Luis Torres and Stephen Leharne
[Physics and Chemistry of the Earth (2011); doi:10.1016/j.pce.2010.11.002]

(3) Simultaneous extraction and quantification of vitamin B2 and B6 by UHPLC/LC-MS in UK commercial infant meal food products
Nazanin Zand, Frank S. Pullen, Babur Z. Chowdhry, John Tetteh
[Food Chemistry, 2011]

A full list of Publications can be viewed here [pdf dowload]

Research Specialisation/Interests

Research Activities/Interests

1. experimental and theoretical studies of drugs/organic molecules using spectroscopic techniques: X-ray crystallography, XRPD, NMR, CD, FT-IR, and Raman spectroscopy including SERS/SERRS.
2. experimental and theoretical thermodynamic studies-using calorimetric techniques- of e.g. drugs, biopolymers [proteins; nucleic acids, lipid systems (liposomes), biopolymer-drug interactions nanoparticles (microgels) and organic synthetic polymers.

Synopsis of Scientific Activities

• Publications in refereed journals: 180
• Co-Editor: 4 monographs
• Postdoctoral students supervised: 5
• PhD students supervised: 27
• MSc research projects supervised: 51
• MRes students: 8

Current postgraduate research students

• 1 Masters; 6PhD and 2 Postdoctoral Researchers

Affiliation to National Bodies

• EPSRC College Member (1998-current):
• Chemistry Board
• Chemistry/Biology Interface Board
• Panel member (2008): UK Universities Equipment Board (EPSRC)
• Panel member (2008): UK Universities Central Facilities Board (EPSRC)
• Board Member: North American Calorimetry Conference: 1996-1999

Refereeing for Journals

Reviewer for scientific journals ( Langmuir; J. Phys. Chem., Thermochimica Acta., J. Pharm. Sci., Biochem. J., J. Raman Spectrosc., Chem. Phys., PCCP, Analytical Bioanalytical Chemistry)

Organization of International/National Scientific Conferences

1. International Thermodynamics Conference :“Biocalorimetry”: St Annes College, Oxford University (September 10-12, 1996); 210 delegates.
   Co-organized by Prof. J. E. Ladbury and Microcal Ltd
   Plenary lecture: “High Sensitivity Diferential Scanning Calorimetry Studies of Bioplymeric Systems”
   Additional output: a monograph of review lectures (refer to edited monographs: “Publications”).
2. Calorimetry Conference: August 12-17, 1998 (Asilomar, California, USA): “Calorimerty of Biomolecules”.
3. International Conference on Raman Spectroscopy (ICORS) co-organizer (with Prof. R. Withnall): August 21-26, 2008. This is the premier Raman conference in the world, held bi-annually, and attracted 651 delegates from around the globe (51 countries).
   Additional output: a monograph (refer to edited monographs: “Publications”).