Dr Robert Edkins
Lecturer
Pure and Applied Chemistry
Personal statement
Background
Bob studied at Durham University for his MChem (2009) and PhD (2013, with Prof. Andrew Beeby). He then held Alexander von Humboldt [Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg with Prof. Todd Marder] and Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 [University of Oxford with Prof. Stephen Faulkner] Fellowships.
In 2018 he joined the University of Strathclyde as a Chancellor's Fellow and Lecturer in Chemistry.
Research Interests
We are interested in the design, synthesis, photophysics, and applications of conjugated materials with uses ranging from fluorescent dyes in super-resolution microscopy to photosensitizers for phototherapy. See Research Interests tab for further details.
External Committee Membership
Bob is the treasurer of the RSC Glasgow and West of Scotland Local Section and was Secretary of the RSC Photophysics and Photochemistry Group (2017-2021).
Area of Expertise
We design conjugated molecules for a range of applications and have capabilities for their air-free synthesis and characterisation.
In addition to extensive experience in steady-state absorption and emission spectroscopy across the visible and near-infrared regions, we have experience in time-resolved fluorescence measurements (TCSPC, TAS), including capabilities for variable temperature measurements (77-373 K). Our work is often underpinned by other methods including electrochemistry and DFT/TD-DFT calculations.
We are also involved in several collaborative projects accessing central facilities for neutron spectroscopy [ISIS and ILL] and (super-resolution) fluorescence microscopy [ESRIC and Central Laser Facility].
We are always interested in establishing new collaborations with academics or industry.
Publications
- Perturbation of water-ethanol solvent structural relaxation by a bis-urea supramolecular gel and paracetamol
- Morbidini Riccardo, Edkins Robert M, Nemkovskiy Kirill, Nilsen Gøran, Seydel Tilo, Edkins Katharina
- Journal of Chemical Physics Vol 162 (2025)
- https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0252501
- Monitoring radical intermediates in photoactivated palladium-catalysed coupling of aryl halides to arenes by an aryl radical assay
- Tyerman Seb, MacKay Donald G, Clark Kenneth F, Kennedy Alan R, Robertson Craig M, Evans Laura, Edkins Robert M, Murphy John A
- ACS Catalysis Vol 15, pp. 917-927 (2025)
- https://doi.org/10.1021/acscatal.4c06913
- Role of secondary structure and time-dependent binding on disruption of phthalocyanine aggregates by guanine-rich nucleic acids
- Windle Eleanor R, Rennie Christopher C, Edkins Robert M, Quinn Susan J
- Chemistry - A European Journal Vol 31 (2025)
- https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.202403095
- Molecular structural dynamics in water–ethanol mixtures : spectroscopy with polarized neutrons simultaneously accessing collective and self-diffusion
- Morbidini Riccardo, Edkins Robert M, Devonport Mark, Nilsen Gøran, Seydel Tilo, Edkins Katharina
- Journal of Chemical Physics Vol 159 (2023)
- https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0174448
- Elucidating the hydrotropism behaviour of aqueous caffeine and sodium benzoate solution through NMR and neutron total scattering analysis
- Shen Yichun, Xiao Yitian, Edkins Robert M, Youngs Tristan GA, Hughes Terri-Louise, Tellam James, Edkins Katharina
- International Journal of Pharmaceutics Vol 647 (2023)
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.123520
- Divergent approach for tris-heteroleptic cyclometalated iridium complexes using triisopropylsilylethynyl substituted synthons
- Edkins Robert M, Hsu Yu-Ting, Fox Mark A, Yufit Dmitry, Beeby Andrew, Davidson Ross
- Organometallics Vol 41, pp. 2487-2493 (2022)
- https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.organomet.2c00292
Research Interests
Overview
We are interested in the excited-state properties of molecular materials in condensed phases, both from a fundamental viewpoint and for applications in light-emitting devices, solar-energy harvesting, bio-imaging and phototherapies. Our work combines synthetic chemistry, optical spectroscopy, and theoretical calculations.
We have experience with a wide range of materials, including transition metal complexes (in particular those of rhodium and iridium), main-group compounds (particularly phosphorus- and boron-based), lanthanide complexes, and organic chromophores, such as pyrene derivatives. We also have a strong interest in two-photon absorption spectroscopy, including the design of new materials with large two-photon absorption cross-sections, and in near-infrared emission.
On-going Projects
Our most recent work has focussed on the development of fluorescent dyes for super-resolution microscopy (particularly STED and STORM), fluorescent probes for reactive oxygen species, and photosensitizers for phototherapy of cancer. We are also exploring new synthetic routes for functionalized phthalocyanines.
Industry Engagement
We are always interested to hear from potential industry partners. If you have a project in mind that includes the development, synthesis, characterization or application of conjugated or light-emitting molecules, please contact Bob by email to discuss how our research may help you.
Professional Activities
- SRS to induce photothermal cell death using phthalocyanine photosensitizers
- Speaker
- 4/12/2024
- Phototherapeutic phthalocyanine photosensitizers imaged using a stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) microscope
- Speaker
- 26/11/2024
- Cancer phototherapy using phthalocyanine photosensitizers imaged in real time
- Speaker
- 22/11/2024
- Phototherapeutic phthalocyanine photosensitizers imaged using a stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) microscope
- Speaker
- 21/11/2024
- Phototherapeutic phthalocyanine photosensitizers imaged using a stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) microscope
- Speaker
- 20/11/2024
- Phototherapeutic phthalocyanine photosensitizers imaged using a stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) microscope
- Speaker
- 19/11/2024
Projects
- EPSRC Core Equipment Maintenance Award: CD
- Chow, Shiao (Principal Investigator) Edkins, Robert (Principal Investigator) MacKenzie, Lewis (Principal Investigator)
- £12,576
- 13-Jan-2024 - 12-Jan-2025
- Industrial CASE Account - University of Strathclyde 2021 | MacKay, Donald
- Edkins, Robert (Principal Investigator) Graham, Duncan (Co-investigator) MacKay, Donald (Research Co-investigator)
- 01-Jan-2021 - 01-Jan-2025
- Doctoral Training Partnership 2020-2021 University of Strathclyde | Jackson, Matthew
- Edkins, Robert (Principal Investigator) Graham, Duncan (Co-investigator) Jackson, Matthew (Research Co-investigator)
- 01-Jan-2021 - 01-Jan-2025
- Development and optimisation of photoacoustic contrast agents for early diagnosis of cancer (Donald MacKay)
- Edkins, Robert (Principal Investigator)
- 01-Jan-2021 - 30-Jan-2025
- Development and optimisation of photoacoustic contrast agents for early diagnosis of cancer
- Edkins, Robert (Principal Investigator)
- 01-Jan-2021 - 30-Jan-2022
- Industrial Case Account - University of Strathclyde 2020 | Braddick, Henry
- Tomkinson, Nick (Principal Investigator) Edkins, Robert (Co-investigator) Braddick, Henry (Research Co-investigator)
- 01-Jan-2020 - 28-Jan-2025
Contact
Dr
Robert
Edkins
Lecturer
Pure and Applied Chemistry
Email: robert.edkins@strath.ac.uk
Tel: 444 7950