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Creating Molecular Probes to Study Interactions in Biology

Welcome to the website of the Butler Research Group. We are based in the Chemistry Department at Loughborough University. Research in the Butler Group is focused on the synthesis of supramolecular tools to probe interactions at the chemistry/biology interface. We are developing fluorescent and luminescent molecular probes for the selective detection of biological substrates. We are applying these probes to monitor biological processes in real-time, such as tracking enzyme activity in vitro and in living cells, to facilitate the discovery of new potent drugs.

Our research is multidisciplinary in nature, spanning organic synthesis, physical organic chemistry techniques, molecular recognition, optical spectroscopy, bioassay development and cellular imaging. 

If you are interested in joining the Butler Group please contact Steve for an informal discussion about opportunities, or if you would like to apply for external funding to join the group. We are always looking for keen scientists to join our team!

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Latest News

Anion Recognition and Sensing Review Paper

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May 2026

A review in Chem. Sci. highlights advances over the past five years in lanthanide host design, showing how these developments have improved mechanistic understanding of binding and enabled new anion sensors and imaging probes that function in aqueous and biological media. Congratulations Christy!

Group Away Day!

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May 2026

The group enjoyed a day out of the lab, with competitive games of foot-golf and mini-golf.

Lanthanide Tags for EPR and Luminescence Applications

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January 2026

Our latest paper in ChemistryEurope introduces a series of lanthanide tags that label cysteine, each showing high chemoselectivity for cysteine and enabling labeling in aqueous solution under mild conditions. The findings highlight the critical role of linker design in lanthanide-based probes for EPR spectroscopy and biological imaging. Congratulations Lydia!

Steric and geometric tuning of Eu(III)-based Anion Receptors

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September 2025

Our latest paper in Chem Eur. J.  presents four new macrocyclic Eu(III) complexes and demonstrate how ligand structure and positional tuning of π-conjugated antennae modulate steric demand and anion binding site geometry. This enables size and shape complementarity for selective ADP recognition in water over competing phosphoanions.  

PhD and MChem Graduation Day

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July 2025

We are delighted to congratulate Hannah Pyle and Jamie Webb on their PhD graduations, and Hannah Gurney on completing her MChem degree — fantastic achievements all round!

Congratulations, Prof. Butler!

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July 2025

Well done to Steve who was promoted to Professor in Synthetic Supramolecular Chemistry. Much Deserved!

Welcome to Rebecca and Tara

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July 2025

Welcome to Tara and Rebecca who join the group to begin their PhDs. We kicked things off with a lunch at the local Priory Pub.

Chathu wins Poster Presentation Prize

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June 2025

Congratulations to Chathu (lead PhD supervisor Amanda Pearce) for winning a poster prize at the 2025 Macro Group YRM meeting in Sheffield.

Rounders! - Farewell to Christy and Hannah

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June 2025

 The Group enjoyed a healthily competitive game of rounders at Rushcliffe park. Farewell to Christy and Hannah – wishing you all the very best for your next stages of your careers!

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