Overview
Background
Dr Nicholas Fletcher is a research-focused academic driving studies in the radiobiology and radiopharmaceutical development space. He is based within the Centre for Advanced Imaging (CAI) at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) where he is the Radiobiology Theme Leader. He was awarded a 2023 Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellowship to support his projects focussed on understanding biological impacts and immunological responses to radiopharmaceuticals in collaboration with his industry partner Advancell.
Dr Fletcher and his growing team work across a range of projects, from devising and producing novel nanomedicines and targeting approaches for nanomedicines through to advanced molecular imaging approaches to probe biological responses to therapeutic interventions at unprecedented scale. To support this, he has worked to establish the Radiobiology Facility at the CAI, bringing together a nationally unique facility with capabilities that sit within only a handful of locations globally. This has enables him and his team to probe nuanced biological responses using approaches simply untenable elsewhere.
He has recent funding successes in ARC Linkage Grants so support ongoing research programs and works alongside the ARC Research Hub for Advanced Manufacture of Targeted Radiopharmaceuticals.
Availability
- Dr Nick Fletcher is:
- Available for supervision
Qualifications
- Bachelor, The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research impacts
Dr Fletcher’s research spans both traditional academic research outputs and collaborative industry programs. To date this has resulted in >60 publications, >25 industry contracts and his translational work has laid the foundation for the initiation of 3 clinical trials.
Works
Search Professor Nick Fletcher’s works on UQ eSpace
2018
Journal Article
Designed multifunctional polymeric nanomedicines: long-term biodistribution and tumour accumulation of aptamer-targeted nanomaterials
Fletcher, N. L., Houston, Z. H., Simpson, J. D., Veedu, R. N. and Thurecht, K. J. (2018). Designed multifunctional polymeric nanomedicines: long-term biodistribution and tumour accumulation of aptamer-targeted nanomaterials. Chemical Communications, 54 (82), 11538-11541. doi: 10.1039/c8cc05831h
2018
Conference Publication
Development of polymer theranostics to probe the behaviour of nanomaterials in biology
Thurecht, Kristofer, Zhou, Yongmei, Fletcher, Nicholas and Houston, Zachary (2018). Development of polymer theranostics to probe the behaviour of nanomaterials in biology. 255th National Meeting and Exposition of the American-Chemical-Society (ACS) - Nexus of Food, Energy, and Water, New Orleans, LA United States, 18-22 March 2018. Washington, DC United States: American Chemical Society.
2018
Journal Article
Polynitroxide copolymers to reduce biofilm fouling on surfaces
Boase, Nathan R. B., Torres, Marcelo D. T., Fletcher, Nicholas L., de la Fuente-Nunez, Cesar and Fairfull-Smith, Kathryn E. (2018). Polynitroxide copolymers to reduce biofilm fouling on surfaces. Polymer Chemistry, 9 (43), 5308-5318. doi: 10.1039/c8py01101j
2018
Conference Publication
Design-led 3D visualization of nanomedicines in virtual reality
Lilja, Andrew R., Strong, Campbell W., Bailey, Benjamin J., Thurecht, Kristofer J., Houston, Zachary H., Fletcher, Nicholas L. and McGhee, John B. (2018). Design-led 3D visualization of nanomedicines in virtual reality. 24th ACM Symposium on Virtual Reality Software and Technology (ACM VRST), Tokyo, Japan, Nov 28- Dec 01 2018. New York, NY, United States: Association for Computing Machinery. doi: 10.1145/3281505.3281572
2017
Journal Article
Gold Nanocluster-Mediated Cellular Death under Electromagnetic Radiation
Cifuentes-Rius, Anna, Ivask, Angela, Das, Shreya, Penya-Auladell, Nuria, Fabregas, Laura, Fletcher, Nicholas L., Houston, Zachary H., Thurecht, Kristofer J. and Voelcker, Nicolas H. (2017). Gold Nanocluster-Mediated Cellular Death under Electromagnetic Radiation. Acs Applied Materials & Interfaces, 9 (47), 41159-41167. doi: 10.1021/acsami.7b13100
2017
Journal Article
Localised delivery of doxorubicin to prostate cancer cells through a PSMA-targeted hyperbranched polymer theranostic
Pearce, Amanda K., Simpson, Joshua D., Fletcher, Nicholas L., Houston, Zachary H., Fuchs, Adrian V., Russell, Pamela J., Whittaker, Andrew K. and Thurecht, Kristofer J. (2017). Localised delivery of doxorubicin to prostate cancer cells through a PSMA-targeted hyperbranched polymer theranostic. Biomaterials, 141, 330-339. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2017.07.004
2017
Journal Article
Using peptide aptamer targeted polymers as a model nanomedicine for investigating drug distribution in cancer nanotheranostics
Zhao, Yongmei, Houston, Zachary H., Simpson, Joshua D., Chen, Liyu, Fletcher, Nicholas L., Fuchs, Adrian V., Blakey, Idriss and Thurecht, Kristofer J. (2017). Using peptide aptamer targeted polymers as a model nanomedicine for investigating drug distribution in cancer nanotheranostics. Molecular Pharmaceutics, 14 (10), 3539-3549. doi: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.7b00560
2017
Journal Article
Fabrication and characterization of hydrogels formed from designer coiled-coil fibril-forming peptides
Dexter, A. F., Fletcher, N. L., Creasey, R. G., Filardo, F., Boehm, M. W. and Jack, K. S. (2017). Fabrication and characterization of hydrogels formed from designer coiled-coil fibril-forming peptides. RSC Advances, 7 (44), 27260-27271. doi: 10.1039/c7ra02811c
2016
Journal Article
Preclinical imaging of siRNA delivery
Fletcher, Nicholas, Ardana, Aditya and Thurecht, Kristofer J. (2016). Preclinical imaging of siRNA delivery. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 69 (10), 1073-1077. doi: 10.1071/CH16079
2016
Journal Article
Targeted nanomaterials: overcoming instability of antibody-nanomaterial conjugates: next generation targeted nanomedicines using bispecific antibodies (Adv. Healthcare Mater. 16/2016)
Howard, Christopher B., Fletcher, Nicholas, Houston, Zachary H., Fuchs, Adrian V., Boase, Nathan R. B., Simpson, Joshua D., Raftery, Lyndon J., Ruder, Tim, Jones, Martina L., de Bakker, Christopher J., Mahler, Stephen M. and Thurecht, Kristofer J. (2016). Targeted nanomaterials: overcoming instability of antibody-nanomaterial conjugates: next generation targeted nanomedicines using bispecific antibodies (Adv. Healthcare Mater. 16/2016). Advanced Healthcare Materials, 5 (16), 1994-1994. doi: 10.1002/adhm.201670084
2016
Journal Article
Overcoming Instability of Antibody-Nanomaterial Conjugates: Next Generation Targeted Nanomedicines Using Bispecific Antibodies
Howard, Christopher B., Fletcher, Nicholas, Houston, Zachary H., Fuchs, Adrian V., Boase, Nathan R. B., Simpson, Joshua D., Raftery, Lyndon J., Ruder, Tim, Jones, Martina L., de Bakker, Christopher J., Mahler, Stephen M. and Thurecht, Kristofer J. (2016). Overcoming Instability of Antibody-Nanomaterial Conjugates: Next Generation Targeted Nanomedicines Using Bispecific Antibodies. Advanced Healthcare Materials, 5 (16), 2055-2068. doi: 10.1002/adhm.201600263
2016
Journal Article
Targeting Nanomedicines to Prostate Cancer: Evaluation of Specificity of Ligands to Two Different Receptors In Vivo
Pearce, Amanda K., Fuchs, Adrian V., Fletcher, Nicholas L. and Thurecht, Kristofer J. (2016). Targeting Nanomedicines to Prostate Cancer: Evaluation of Specificity of Ligands to Two Different Receptors In Vivo. Pharmaceutical Research, 33 (10), 1-12. doi: 10.1007/s11095-016-1945-x
2016
Journal Article
Synthesis, characterization and biological activities of semicarbazones and their copper complexes
Venkatachalam, Taracad K., Bernhardt, Paul V., Noble, Chris J., Fletcher, Nicholas, Pierens, Gregory K., Thurecht, Kris J. and Reutens, David C. (2016). Synthesis, characterization and biological activities of semicarbazones and their copper complexes. Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry, 162, 295-308. doi: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2016.04.006
2016
Book Chapter
Molecular imaging utilizing aptamer-targeted probes
Fletcher, Nicholas and Thurechta, Kristofer (2016). Molecular imaging utilizing aptamer-targeted probes. Aptamers: tools for nanotherapy and molecular imaging. (pp. 287-317) edited by Rakesh N. Veedu. Singapore: Pan Stanford Publishing. doi: 10.1201/b20047-11
2016
Conference Publication
Evaluation of the in vivo fate of ultrapure alginate in mice model
Anitha, A., Fletcher, Nicholas, Houston, Zachary, Thurecht, Kristofer and Grondahl, Lisbeth (2016). Evaluation of the in vivo fate of ultrapure alginate in mice model. 10th World Biomaterials Congress, Montréal, Canada, 17 May - 22 May 2016. Lausanne, Switzerland: Frontiers Research Foundation. doi: 10.3389/conf.FBIOE.2016.01.02237
2015
Journal Article
Evaluation of polymeric nanomedicines targeted to PSMA: effect of ligand on targeting efficiency
Fuchs, Adrian V., Tse, Brian W.C., Pearce, Amanda. K., Yeh, Mei-Chun, Fletcher, Nicholas L., Huang, Steve S., Heston, Warren D., Whittaker, Andrew K., Russell, Pamela J. and Thurecht, Kristofer J. (2015). Evaluation of polymeric nanomedicines targeted to PSMA: effect of ligand on targeting efficiency. Biomacromolecules, 16 (10), 3235-3247. doi: 10.1021/acs.biomac.5b00913
2015
Other Outputs
Bioproduction and self-assembly of designer peptides
Fletcher, Nicholas (2015). Bioproduction and self-assembly of designer peptides. PhD Thesis, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/uql.2015.436
2015
Journal Article
Bioproduction of highly charged designer peptide surfactants via a chemically cleavable coiled-coil heteroconcatemer
Fletcher, Nicholas L., Paquet, Nicolas, Dickinson, Ellyce L. and Dexter, Annette F. (2015). Bioproduction of highly charged designer peptide surfactants via a chemically cleavable coiled-coil heteroconcatemer. Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 112 (2), 242-251. doi: 10.1002/bit.25446
2011
Journal Article
A pH-responsive coiled-coil peptide hydrogel
Fletcher, Nicholas L., Lockett, Christina V. and Dexter, Annette F. (2011). A pH-responsive coiled-coil peptide hydrogel. Soft Matter, 7 (21), 10210-10218. doi: 10.1039/c1sm06261a
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Nick Fletcher is:
- Available for supervision
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Available projects
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Radiobiology - Understanding the body's response to radiopharmaceuticals
Targeted radionuclide therapies are undergoing rapid growth as next-generation radiotherapeutics for multiple cancers. Targeted alpha-therapeutics (TATs) in particular are highly potent and outperform current clinical options, representing an opportunity to produce a step change in patient outcomes. Despite international research focus on developing TATs, there remains significant knowledge gaps in understanding associated biological and immunological responses which have key impacts on subsequent efficacy. I have multiple ongoing projects working to addresses this by investigating the interplay between TAT and associated localized cellular, inflammation and immune responses. These projects all fall within my research theme of radiobiology and range from assays in molecular and cellular biology, through to preclinical efficacy and molecular imaging studies to probe all aspects of this research question.
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Targeted nanomedicine radiopharmaceuticals – Next generation treatments for cancer
Molecular radiotherapy (MRT) involves targeted delivery of ionising radiation to trigger localised cell death. Targeted irradiation is achieved using alpha (α) or beta (β-) emitting radionuclides that are incorporated into a radiopharmaceutical. While most MRT research to date has focused on the delivery of β--emitting radionuclides (e.g. 177Lu), growing interest has been focused on α-emitting radionuclides such as 225Ac and 212Pb. Highly ionizing α-particles deposit 100–1000 times greater energy per unit path length than the current clinical standard β- particles, which gives them the ability to produce lethal DNA double-strand breaks within the cell nucleus while reducing the amount of unwanted radiation to surrounding tissues.
Such MRT approaches require a targeting platform to delivery radiotherapeutic payloads. Recently we have demonstrated 212Pb-loaded nanomedicines with excellent efficacy in preclinical models, showing complete tumour regression in many cases. Projects in this space will work on expanding this MRT platform through optimization of materials and dosing regimens as well and producing novel targeting ligands to target a wider range of cancer types. These projects fall within my research theme of nanomedicines and radiopharmaceutical development, involving work ranging from bioengineering and polymer synthesis through to preclinical efficacy and molecular imaging studies to develop potent next-generation nanomedicine radiopharmaceuticals.
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Modulating the Mononuclear Phagocyte System for Improved Nanomaterial Delivery
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Kristofer Thurecht, Associate Professor Barbara Rolfe
-
Doctor Philosophy
Design of a complex in vitro microfluidic device for the evaluation of polymeric nanoparticles
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Kristofer Thurecht
-
Doctor Philosophy
Targeted polymeric radiopharmaceutical as cancer theranostics
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Kristofer Thurecht
-
Doctor Philosophy
Molecular alpha radiotherapy using nanomaterials mediated via pre-targeting strategy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Kristofer Thurecht
-
Doctor Philosophy
Development of site-specific radiopharmaceuticals using nanotechnology
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Kristofer Thurecht
-
Doctor Philosophy
Development of a versatile targeted alpha therapy platform
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Owen, Dr Pie Huda
-
Doctor Philosophy
Novel low-fouling biopolymers for biomedical applications
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Andrew Whittaker
-
Doctor Philosophy
Novel complementary diagnostics for improved therapeutics/theranostics
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Craig Bell, Dr Rhia Stone, Professor Kristofer Thurecht
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Doctor Philosophy
The effect of avidity on nanobody-based formats for theranostic applications
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jodi Saunus, Dr Pie Huda, Professor Kristofer Thurecht
Completed supervision
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Design of pH-sensitive, polymeric nanoparticles, and their application in chemotherapeutic drug delivery
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Craig Bell, Professor Kristofer Thurecht
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding Immunogenicity in Nanomedicine
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Craig Bell, Dr Pie Huda, Professor Kristofer Thurecht
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Developing nanomedicines for cancer theranostics
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Kristofer Thurecht
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Investigating the delivery and mechanisms of novel dementia and glioblastoma therapeutics
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Kristofer Thurecht
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Biological Interactions of Polymeric Nanomedicines & Molecular Imaging Agents
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Craig Bell, Professor Kristofer Thurecht
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2019
Master Philosophy
Radiosensitization of Prostate Cancer by Nanoparticle Mediated RNA Interference
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor Kum Kum Khanna, Dr Christopher Howard, Professor Kristofer Thurecht
Media
Enquiries
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