Duer begun her research in solid-state NMR by investigating molecular mobility in porous materials in collaboration with Gladden who has moved to the Department of Chemical Engineering.[10][11][12] She went on to investigate molecular mobility more broadly, in polymers and other solids.[8][13] With a theoretical chemistry background and through discussions with Malcolm Levitt and others, Duer also developed solid-state NMR experiments to probe anisotropic interactions, such as quadrupolar interactions[14][15][16][17] and chemical shift anisotropy.[18][19][20] In 2001 and 2004, she published two books on solid-state NMR, targeted at graduate students.[21][22]
In early 2000s, Duer pioneered the use of solid-state NMR to investigate biological tissues, including keratin[23] and bones,[24] frequently obtained from horses due to her interest in horse riding.[3] Her previous research on liquid crystal phases of polymers led her to wonder whether similar phases could form in keratin.[4]
Duer has extensively investigated the extracellular matrix, the component of biological tissues that simultaneously serves as the communication system between cells and provides a scaffold to support them. She is particularly interested in the molecular mechanisms that underpin the functions of the extracellular matrix. By understanding the structure-property relationships of biological tissue, Duer works to unravel the processes that give rise to collagenous tissue and mineralisation.[25]
Duer has investigated the calcification of blood vessels that occurs when people age.[4] She proposed that the hardening of arteries caused by the build-up of calcium may be triggered by polymeric adenosine diphosphate ribose (PAR), a molecule that is produced when the DNA inside cells is damaged.[26] One of her graduate students launched a spin-out company, Cycle Pharmaceuticals, which provides personalised treatment to patients with vascular diseases.[4] She was promoted to Professor in 2015.[4]
Apart from licensing novel treatment for treating vascular disease to Cycle Pharmaceuticals,[30][31] Duer is a co-founder of Cambridge Oncology Ltd.[32]
Mentoring and international development
Duer is part of the Strategic Advisory Group of the Cambridge-Africa Programme, an initiative by the University of Cambridge to strengthen research capacity with African universities and research institutions.[33] In this role, Duer mentors African academics such as Dr Mercy Badu of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.[34]
As a previous holder of the Suffrage Science award, Duer nominated Dr Mary Anti Chama of the University of Ghana for the same award in 2021.[35][36][37][38]
Duer used to be an equestrian, and has said that her interest in biological chemistry started with studying keratin in horses hooves and understanding leg fractures in one of her rescue horses.[4][5] Her other interests include cycling and competing in triathlons.
^ abcdefghDuer, Melinda (Spring 2018). "Q&A: Melinda Duer". Chem@Cam (Interview). No. 57. Interviewed by Diane Harris. Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge. pp. 22–23. Retrieved 7 October 2023 – via www.ch.cam.ac.uk.
