Dr Diego Montagner

    Chemistry, Human Health Institute

    Lecturer

    Callan Building
    2nd floor (ex Computer Science) office
    2.112
    (01) 474 7510

    Biography

    2016 Lecturer in Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Maynooth University, Ireland
    2015 Lecturer in Chemistry   School of Chemistry, National University of Ireland, Galway
    2013- 2014 Marie Curie Post-Doctoral fellow School of Chemistry, National University of Ireland, Galway
    2012-2013 Post-Doctoral Fellow Chemistry Department, National University of Singapore, Singapore
    2011 Visiting Scientist School of Chemistry, National University of Ireland, Galway
    2009-2010 Visiting Scientist Inorganic Chemistry Department, Dortmund University, Germany
    2008 PhD in Chemistry University of Padua,  Italy

    Research Interests

    My research is inserted in the big area of Bioinorganic Chemistry and it is placed at the interface between inorganic/medicinal chemistry and biology.
    It is focused on the development of new metal based drugs     that could be selectively delivered and accumulated into the tumor cell and that interact with biologically-relevant macromolecules with different mechanism of action.

    In particular we are interested in:
    1) Pt(IV) prodrug complexes with targeted axial ligands;
    2) Cu(II) complexes that interact with the DNA via different pathways;
    3) Au(I) carbene complexes as antimicrobial compunds;
    4) metal based complexes (Cu(II), Zn(II), Fe(III)) that act as metallo-nuclease enzymes;
    5) Nanoplatform as delivery systems for drugs

    In our lab we design, synthetise and characterise with different spectroscopic techniques (multinuclear NMR, Mass, IR, UV, HPLC, AA) the metal based complexes.
    In combination with our national and international collaborators we will study and speculate on the mode of action, interaction with biomolecules and cytotoxic activity of the new metal-based drugs.

    Research Projects

      Project Role Funding Body / Program Description Start Date End Date Award (€)
    STRIKE: Comprehensive STRategIes to tacKlE malignant tumors: from nanomedicine and theranostics to precision medicine PI EU Horizon 2020 / Non Commercial 01-JAN-23 31-DEC-26 2106835.2
    Advanced hybrid theranostic nanoplatforms for an active drug delivery in the cancer treatment PI EU Horizon 2020 / Widening - Twinning 01-JAN-21 31-DEC-23 184484
    Darren Beirne- Combination chemotherapy: a modern approach to target colorectal cancer with dualaction Tyrosine Kinase inhibitor-Pt(IV) based drugs PI Irish Research Council (IRC) / Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Platinum complexes as anticancer drugs (i.e. cisplatin, carboplatin, oxalilplatin) were discovered in the 1970s and, they have been approved and are worldwide used to treat a variety of tumours. Their activity is limited by dose-dependent side effects (nephro-, neuro- and ototoxicity) and the lack of selectivity toward cancer tissue with respect to healthy cells remains one of the major drawbacks. Combination chemotherapy is a burgeoning strategy that consists of combining in the same molecule two different drugs with two different mechanisms of action that can operate simultaneously, targeting different features on the cancer cell. Tyrosine kinases (TK) are promising targets in oncology and play a major role in cell regulation pathways (e.g. metabolism, transcription, cell division and programmed cell death) and TK deregulation is often related to cancer onset. Several TK play a critical role in the growth and metastasis of colorectal cancers that are among the most common tumours in Ireland (ranked third among the most common cancers in 2018 from National Cancer Registry Ireland). Currently, the activity of platinum-based drugs against these tumours, is limited because resistance is often aquired after few chemotherapeutic cycles. The aim of this project is to exploit the combination chemotherapy strategy to develop new drugs that will target colorectal cancer, combining in one unique molecule, the DNA damaging activity of platinum with TK inhibitors. Imatinib and nilotinib are known TKs inhibitors and are FDA approved to treat solid tumors, such as gastrointestinal stromal cancer. The two active components (platinum(II) and TK inhibitor) will be released simultaneously upon intracellular reduction, and will work in cooperation to increase the overall anticancer efficacy, in particular toward the digestive system tumours. The developing of effective chemotheraputic agents against colorectal cancers, could have very important impact on the Irish society, with almost 3000 people diagnosed every year. 01-OCT-20 30-SEP-24 109124.7

    Post Doctoral Fellows/Research Team

      Researcher Name Project Role Funding Body
    María Galiana Cameo NANO4TARMED Post Doctorate EU Horizon 2020

    Peer Reviewed Journals

      Year Publication
    2022 'Graphene Oxide Nanoplatforms to Enhance Cisplatin-Based Drug Delivery in Anticancer Therapy'
    Giusto E.;Žárská L.;Beirne D.F.;Rossi A.;Bassi G.;Ruffini A.;Montesi M.;Montagner D.;Ranc V.;Panseri S. (2022) 'Graphene Oxide Nanoplatforms to Enhance Cisplatin-Based Drug Delivery in Anticancer Therapy'. Journal of Nanomaterials, 12 (14) [DOI] [Details]
    2021 'Click Pt(IV)-Carbohydrates Pro-Drugs for Treatment of Osteosarcoma'
    Moynihan E.;Bassi G.;Ruffini A.;Panseri S.;Montesi M.;Velasco-Torrijos T.;Montagner D. (2021) 'Click Pt(IV)-Carbohydrates Pro-Drugs for Treatment of Osteosarcoma'. Frontiers In Chemistry, 9 [DOI] [Details]
    2020 'Pt(IV) pro-drugs with an axial HDAC inhibitor demonstrate multimodal mechanisms involving DNA damage and apoptosis independent of cisplatin resistance in A2780/A2780cis cells'
    Almotairy A.R.Z.;Montagner D.;Morrison L.;Devereux M.;Howe O.;Erxleben A. (2020) 'Pt(IV) pro-drugs with an axial HDAC inhibitor demonstrate multimodal mechanisms involving DNA damage and apoptosis independent of cisplatin resistance in A2780/A2780cis cells'. Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry, 210 [DOI] [full-text] [Details]
    2020 'Antimicrobials offered from nature: Peroxidase-catalyzed systems and their mimics'
    Tonoyan L;Montagner D;Friel R;O'Flaherty V; (2020) 'Antimicrobials offered from nature: Peroxidase-catalyzed systems and their mimics'. Biochemical Pharmacology, [DOI] [full-text] [Details]
    2019 'Anticancer activity, DNA binding and cell mechanistic studies of estrogen-functionalised Cu(II) complexes'
    Barrett, S;De Franco, M;Kellett, A;Dempsey, E;Marzano, C;Erxleben, A;Gandin, V;Montagner, D (2019) 'Anticancer activity, DNA binding and cell mechanistic studies of estrogen-functionalised Cu(II) complexes'. Journal of Biological Inorganic Chemistry, [DOI] [full-text] [Details]
    2019 'Cytotoxicity and ROS production of novel Pt(IV)oxaliplatin derivatives with indole propionic acid'
    Tolan D.;Almotairy A.;Howe O.;Devereux M.;Montagner D.;Erxleben A. (2019) 'Cytotoxicity and ROS production of novel Pt(IV)oxaliplatin derivatives with indole propionic acid'. Inorganica Chimica Acta, 492 :262-267 [DOI] [full-text] [Details]
    2019 'Stability of antibacterial Te(IV)compounds: A combined experimental and computational study'
    D'Arcy K.;Doyle A.;Kavanagh K.;Ronconi L.;Fresch B.;Montagner D. (2019) 'Stability of antibacterial Te(IV)compounds: A combined experimental and computational study'. Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry, 198 [DOI] [full-text] [Details]
    2019 'Synthesis, characterisation and in vitro antitumour potential of novel Pt(II) estrogen linked complexes'
    Kitteringham E.;Andriollo E.;Gandin V.;Montagner D.;Griffith D. (2019) 'Synthesis, characterisation and in vitro antitumour potential of novel Pt(II) estrogen linked complexes'. Inorganica Chimica Acta, 495 [DOI] [full-text] [Details]
    2018 'A Pt(IV) prodrug combining chlorambucil and cisplatin: A dual-acting weapon for targeting DNA in cancer cells'
    Montagner D.;Tolan D.;Andriollo E.;Gandin V.;Marzano C. (2018) 'A Pt(IV) prodrug combining chlorambucil and cisplatin: A dual-acting weapon for targeting DNA in cancer cells'. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 19 (12) [DOI] [full-text] [Details]
    2018 'Evaluation of in vitro and in vivo antibacterial activity of novel Cu(II)-steroid complexes'
    Barrett S.;Delaney S.;Kavanagh K.;Montagner D. (2018) 'Evaluation of in vitro and in vivo antibacterial activity of novel Cu(II)-steroid complexes'. Inorganica Chimica Acta, 479 :261-265 [DOI] [full-text] [Details]
    2018 'Increased immune cell infiltration in patient-derived tumor explants treated with Traniplatin: an original Pt(IV) pro-drug based on Cisplatin and Tranilas'
    Daniele Lo Re, Diego Montagner*, Dina Tolan, Di Sanza, Mar Iglesias, A. Calon, E. Giralt (2018) 'Increased immune cell infiltration in patient-derived tumor explants treated with Traniplatin: an original Pt(IV) pro-drug based on Cisplatin and Tranilas'. Chemical Communications, [DOI] [Details]
    2018 'Development of an Efficient Dual‐action GST‐inhibiting Anticancer Platinum(IV) Prodrug'
    Diego Montagner*, Keefe Guang Zhi Lee, Maria Babak, Andrea Weiss, Paul Dyson, Patrycja Novak-Slowinska, Wee han Ang (2018) 'Development of an Efficient Dual‐action GST‐inhibiting Anticancer Platinum(IV) Prodrug'. ChemMedChem, [DOI] [full-text] [Details]
    2018 'A phosphate-targeted dinuclear Cu(II) complex combining major groove binding and oxidative DNA cleavage'
    Molphy Z;Montagner D;Bhat SS;Slator C;Long C;Erxleben A;Kellett A; (2018) 'A phosphate-targeted dinuclear Cu(II) complex combining major groove binding and oxidative DNA cleavage'. Nucleic Acids Research, [DOI] [full-text] [Details]
    2018 'An innovative and efficient route to the synthesis of metal-based glycoconjugates: proof-of-concept and potential applications'
    Pettenuzzo A.;Montagner D.;McArdle P.;Ronconi L. (2018) 'An innovative and efficient route to the synthesis of metal-based glycoconjugates: proof-of-concept and potential applications'. Dalton Transactions, 47 (31):10721-10736 [DOI] [full-text] [Details]
    2017 'Steroid-Au(I)-NHC Complexes: Synthesis and Antibacterial Activity'
    Velle', Maguire, Kavanagh, Sanz Miguel, Montagner* (2017) 'Steroid-Au(I)-NHC Complexes: Synthesis and Antibacterial Activity'. ChemMedChem, 12 :841-844 [DOI] [full-text] [Details]
    2017 'Antitumor platinum(IV) derivatives of carboplatin and the histone deacetylase inhibitor 4-phenylbutyric acid'
    Almotairy, Gandin, Morrison, Marzano, Erxleben and Montagner* (2017) 'Antitumor platinum(IV) derivatives of carboplatin and the histone deacetylase inhibitor 4-phenylbutyric acid'. JOURNAL OF INORGANIC BIOCHEMISTRY   , 177 :1-7 [DOI] [full-text] [Details]
    2017 'A Cu(ii) complex targeting the translocator protein: in vitro and in vivo antitumor potential and mechanistic insights'
    Montagner D.;Fresch B.;Browne K.;Gandin V.;Erxleben A. (2017) 'A Cu(ii) complex targeting the translocator protein: in vitro and in vivo antitumor potential and mechanistic insights'. Chemical Communications, 53 (1):134-137 [DOI] [full-text] [Details]
    2017 'Estrogen functionalised metal complexes: selective anticancer and antibacterial activity'
    Montagner Diego, A. Erxleben, P. Sanz Miguel, K. Kavanagh, A. Kellett (2017) 'Estrogen functionalised metal complexes: selective anticancer and antibacterial activity'. Journal of Biological Inorganic Chemistry, 22 (Suppl 1) [DOI] [full-text] [Details]
    2016 'DNA binding, cleavage and cytotoxicity of a novel dimetallic Fe(III) triaza-cyclononane complex'
    Pinheiro Araujo, Gandin, Kavanagh, Braude, Nodari, Montagner,* Erxleben (2016) 'DNA binding, cleavage and cytotoxicity of a novel dimetallic Fe(III) triaza-cyclononane complex'. INORGANICA CHIMICA ACTA , 142 :170-175 [DOI] [full-text] [Details]
    2016 'Oxidative Stress Induced by Pt(IV) Pro-drugs Based on the Cisplatin Scaffold and Indole Carboxylic Acids in Axial Position'
    Tolan D.;Gandin V.;Morrison L.;El-Nahas A.;Marzano C.;Montagner D.;Erxleben A. (2016) 'Oxidative Stress Induced by Pt(IV) Pro-drugs Based on the Cisplatin Scaffold and Indole Carboxylic Acids in Axial Position'. Scientific Reports, 6 [DOI] [full-text] [Details]
    2015 'DNA damage and induction of apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells by a new dinuclear bis(triazacyclonane) copper complex'
    Montagner, Gandin, Marzano, Erxleben (2015) 'DNA damage and induction of apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells by a new dinuclear bis(triazacyclonane) copper complex'. JOURNAL OF INORGANIC BIOCHEMISTRY   , 145 :101-107 [DOI] [full-text] [Details]
    2014 'Phosphate Diester Cleavage, DNA Interaction and Cytotoxic Activity of a Bimetallic Bis(1,4,7-triazacyclononane) Zn Complex'
    Montagner,* Gandin, Marzano, Erxleben (2014) 'Phosphate Diester Cleavage, DNA Interaction and Cytotoxic Activity of a Bimetallic Bis(1,4,7-triazacyclononane) Zn Complex'. European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, :4084-4092 [DOI] [full-text] [Details]
    2014 'Investigating Cell Entry of Cisplatin and Anticancer Platinum(IV) Prodrugs Using Fluorescence Microscopy'
    Ang, Montagner, Siew Qi (2014) 'Investigating Cell Entry of Cisplatin and Anticancer Platinum(IV) Prodrugs Using Fluorescence Microscopy'. Journal of Biological Inorganic Chemistry, 19 :194-194 [full-text] [Details]
    2014 'DNA cleavage ability and cytotoxicity of mono- and di-nuclear copper complexes'
    Erxleben, Montagner, Gandin (2014) 'DNA cleavage ability and cytotoxicity of mono- and di-nuclear copper complexes'. Journal of Biological Inorganic Chemistry, 19 :733-733 [full-text] [Details]
    2013 'A Fluorescent Probe for Investigating the Activation of Anticancer Platinum(IV) Prodrugs Based on the Cisplatin Scaffold'
    Montagner Diego, Yap Siew Qi, Wee Han Ang. (2013) 'A Fluorescent Probe for Investigating the Activation of Anticancer Platinum(IV) Prodrugs Based on the Cisplatin Scaffold'. ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION IN ENGLISH, 52 :11785-11789 [full-text] [Details]
    2011 'Metal-promoted synthesis of amidines containing the model nucleobases 1-methylcytosine and 9-methyladenine'
    Montagner,* Zangrando, Borsato, Lucchini, Longato (2011) 'Metal-promoted synthesis of amidines containing the model nucleobases 1-methylcytosine and 9-methyladenine'. Dalton Transactions, 40 :8664-8674 [DOI] [full-text] [Details]
    2011 'Pt(II) and Pd(II) Pyrrolidine-Dithiocarbamates Investigated by XPS'
    Wenisch, Montagner, Helm, Tondello, Gross (2011) 'Pt(II) and Pd(II) Pyrrolidine-Dithiocarbamates Investigated by XPS'. Surface Science Spectra, 18 :82-90 [DOI] [full-text] [Details]
    2011 'Unique Pt5 metallacycle: [PtIICl(pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate)]5'
    Montagner,* Sanz Miguel (2011) 'Unique Pt5 metallacycle: [PtIICl(pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate)]5'. Dalton Transactions, 40 :10809-10811 [DOI] [full-text] [Details]
    2011 'Synthesis, characterization and cytotoxic activity of palladium (II) dithiocarbamate complexes with ,-diamines'
    Montagner,* Marzano, gandin (2011) 'Synthesis, characterization and cytotoxic activity of palladium (II) dithiocarbamate complexes with ,-diamines'. INORGANICA CHIMICA ACTA , 376 :574-580 [DOI] [full-text] [Details]
    2011 'Synthesis, characterization and cytotoxic properties of platinum(II) complexes containing the nucleosides adenosine and cytidine'
    Montagner Diego, Gandin Valentina, Marzano Cristina, Longato Bruno (2011) 'Synthesis, characterization and cytotoxic properties of platinum(II) complexes containing the nucleosides adenosine and cytidine'. JOURNAL OF INORGANIC BIOCHEMISTRY   , 105 :919-926 [full-text] [Details]
    2010 'Irreversibile Insertion of Benzonitrile into Platinum(II)-Nitrogen Bonds of Nucleobase Complexes. Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Stable Azametallacycle Compounds'
    Montagner, Venzi, Zangrando, Longato (2010) 'Irreversibile Insertion of Benzonitrile into Platinum(II)-Nitrogen Bonds of Nucleobase Complexes. Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Stable Azametallacycle Compounds'. Inorganic Chemistry, 49 :2013-2019 [DOI] [full-text] [Details]
    2009 'Role of the ancillary ligands on the stabilisation of the imino-oxo tautomer of 1-methylcytosine in PtII complexes'
    Longato, Montagner, Zangrando (2009) 'Role of the ancillary ligands on the stabilisation of the imino-oxo tautomer of 1-methylcytosine in PtII complexes'. Dalton Transactions, :2400-2405 [DOI] [full-text] [Details]
    2009 'Stabilisation of the iminooxo tautomer of 1-Methylcytosine in PtII complexes: Role of the ancillary ligands'
    Montagner, Zangrando, Longato (2009) 'Stabilisation of the iminooxo tautomer of 1-Methylcytosine in PtII complexes: Role of the ancillary ligands'. INORGANICA CHIMICA ACTA , 362 :725-732 [DOI] [full-text] [Details]
    2008 'Role of the Phosphine Ligands on the Stabilization of Monoadducts of the Model Nucleobases 1-Methylcytosine and 9-Methylguanine in Platinum(II) Complexes'
    Montagner, Zangrando, Longato (2008) 'Role of the Phosphine Ligands on the Stabilization of Monoadducts of the Model Nucleobases 1-Methylcytosine and 9-Methylguanine in Platinum(II) Complexes'. Inorganic Chemistry, 47 :2588-2595 [DOI] [full-text] [Details]
    2008 'Synthesis and characterization of cis-[(PPh3)2Pt{9-MeAd(-H)N6N7}]X (X- = NO3, PF6): the first example of a Platinum(II) complex containing the N6,N7-chelated 9-methyladenine anion'
    Montagner,* Longato (2008) 'Synthesis and characterization of cis-[(PPh3)2Pt{9-MeAd(-H)N6N7}]X (X- = NO3, PF6): the first example of a Platinum(II) complex containing the N6,N7-chelated 9-methyladenine anion'. INORGANICA CHIMICA ACTA , 361 :1676-1680 [DOI] [full-text] [Details]
    2006 'Platinum(II)-Mediated Coupling Reactions of Acetonitrile with the Exocyclic Nitrogen of 9-Methyladenine and 1-Methylcytosine. Synthesis, NMR Characterization and X-ray Structures of NewAzametallacycle Complexes'
    Longato, Montagner, Bandoli, Zangrando (2006) 'Platinum(II)-Mediated Coupling Reactions of Acetonitrile with the Exocyclic Nitrogen of 9-Methyladenine and 1-Methylcytosine. Synthesis, NMR Characterization and X-ray Structures of NewAzametallacycle Complexes'. Inorganic Chemistry, 45 :1805-1814 [DOI] [full-text] [Details]
    2006 'Mono- and Polynuclear Complexes of the Model Nucleobase 1-Methylcytosine. Synthesis and Characterization of cis-[(PMe2Ph)2Pt{1-MeCy(- H)}]3(NO3)3 and cis-[(PPh3)2Pt{1-MeCy(-H)}(1-MeCy)]NO3'
    Longato, Montagner, Zangrando (2006) 'Mono- and Polynuclear Complexes of the Model Nucleobase 1-Methylcytosine. Synthesis and Characterization of cis-[(PMe2Ph)2Pt{1-MeCy(- H)}]3(NO3)3 and cis-[(PPh3)2Pt{1-MeCy(-H)}(1-MeCy)]NO3'. Inorganic Chemistry, 45 :8179-8187 [DOI] [Details]
    2005 'Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamates of Pd(II)'
    Faraglia, Sitran, Montagner (2005) 'Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamates of Pd(II)'. INORGANICA CHIMICA ACTA , 358 :971-980 [DOI] [full-text] [Details]

    Honours and Awards

      Year Title Awarding Body
    2014 Best Oral presentation EUROBIC12 Society of Bioinorganic Chemistry
    2013 Marie Curie Post Doc Fellowship EU FP7

    Professional Associations

      Association Function From / To
    Royal Society of Chemistry member /
    IBICS Irish Biological Inorganic Chemistry Society board of directors /
    SBIC Society of Biological Inorganic Chemistry member /
    Italian Chemistry Society member /

    Committees

      Committee Function From / To
    Department of Chemistry, Synthetic lab committee member 2018 / 2020
    Athena Swan Post graduate committee Chair 2021 /
    Campus Life Committee Member 2019 / 2022
    Faculty Science Research Committee Member 2019 / 2022
    Department of Chemistry Teaching and Learning Committee Chair 2018 / 2020

    Employment

      Employer Position From / To
    Maynooth University Lecturer 01-JAN-16 /
    National Unibversity of Ireland Galway Assistant Lecturer 01-JAN-15 / 31-DEC-15

    Languages

      Language Reading Writing Speaking
    Italian Fluent Fluent Fluent
    German Functional Functional Functional
    Spanish Fluent Fluent Fluent
    English Fluent Fluent Fluent

    Reviews

      Journal Role
    Journal Of Biological Inorganic Chemistry Reviewer
    Applied Organometallic Chemistry Reviewer
    Molecules Referee
    Frontiers In Chemistry Reviewer
    European Journal Of Inorganic Chemistry Reviewer
    Anti-Cancer Agents In Medicinal Chemistry Reviewer
    Biometals Reviewer
    Chemical Communications Reviewer
    Scientific Reports Reviewer
    Cancers Reviewer
    Dalton Transactions Reviewer
    Inorganic Chemistry Reviewer
    Journal Of Inorganic Biochemistry Reviewer
    Inorganica Chimica Acta Reviewer

    Teaching Interests

    CH224 Inorganic Chemistry: Coordination and "s"-block chemistry (Coordinator)
    CH322 Inorganic Chemistry: Solid state and "p"-block chemistry
    CH331 Transition Metal chemistry (Coordinator)
    CH427 Bioinorganic and "f"-block chemistry (Coordinator)
    CH207/CH415 Biochemical Pharmaceutical Workshops

    Recent Postgraduates

      Graduation Student Name University Degree Thesis
    2021 Stephen Barrett Maynooth University BA (mod) Chemistry Targeted Copper (II) Compounds with Selective Anti – Cancer and Anti-Microbial Activity
    2020 Kenneth D'Arcy Maynooth University Master of Science Synthesis and Stability Studies of Novel Antimicrobial Tellurium (IV) Compounds

    Internal Collaborators

      Name Institute Country
    Eithne Dempsey Maynooth university IRELAND
    Kevin Kavanagh Biology department NUIM IRELAND

    External Collaborators

      Name Role / Description Country
    Andrew Kellett IRELAND
    Barbara Fresch ITALY
    Daniele Lo Re SPAIN
    Valentina Gandin ITALY
    Pablo Sanz Miguel SPAIN
    Ang Wee Han SINGAPORE
    Andrea Erxleben IRELAND
    Ranc Vaclav CZECH REPUBLIC
    Silvia Panseri ITALY