Here is a list of vMASC seminars from previous years. Thank you to all our speakers and participants. Where a talk is marked “[v]”, a video is available to vMASC members (see below).
(vMASC also began running symposia with talks from MASC research prize awardees from 2026. You can videos of these talks here)
| Date | Speaker | Title |
| 27/08/2020 | Laura Bickerton | Halogen Bonding Transmembrane Anion Transporters |
| 03/09/2020 | Jianzhu Wang | Electrostatic Cage Catalysis |
| 10/09/2020 | Tim Kench | Using rotaxanes as triggerable cages for ligands which target G-quadruplex DNA |
| 17/09/2020 | Stuart Cantrill | The Nature of Chemistry Publishing |
| 24/09/2020 | Marysia Tarnowska | Synthesis of a Triple-Decker Handcuff |
| 01/10/2020 | WISC | Q&A Session |
| 08/10/2020 | Lisa Thomson [v] | Creating Transient Gradients in Supramolecular Hydrogels |
| 15/10/2020 | Tom Welton [v] | Riding a Magic Carpet to Success |
| 22/10/2020 | Marc Lehr [v] | A Paramagnetic NMR Spectroscopy Toolbox for the Characterisation of Metal-Organic Cages |
| 29/10/2020 | Stefan Borsley [v] | Transmembrane Ion Channels Formed by Knotted Molecules |
| 05/11/2020 | Ellen Jamieson | A Stereodynamic Rotaxane Host |
| 12/11/2020 | Lisa White [v] | High-throughput characterisation of supramolecular self-association processes |
| 19/11/2020 | Fredrik Schaufelberger | Knotting To See Here: The Folding Approach to Molecular Knots |
| 26/11/2020 | Tessel Bouwens [v] | The Ring Launching Solar Cell |
| 03/12/2020 | Vivienne Parry [v] | Science, communication and the media |
| 10/12/2020 | Charlie McTernan [v] | Selective Anion Binding Drives the Formation of Six-Stranded Helicates |
| 14/01/2021 | Andrew Tarzia [v] | High Throughput Structure Prediction of Metal-Organic Cages |
| 21/01/2021 | Aisha Bismallah | Controlling Crystallisation and Chirality with ‘Shapeshifting’ Molecules |
| 28/01/2021 | WISC | Career Panel Discussion |
| 04/02/2021 | Nathan Renier | Exploring Copper(I) Transmembrane Transport: From Receptors to Transporters |
| 11/02/2021 | Daniel Payne [v] | Nanomolecular Singlet Oxygen Photosensitizers from Redox Active Resorcinarenes |
| 18/02/2021 | Andrew Heard [v] | Synthesis and Applications of Mechanically Planar Chiral Rotaxanes for Enantioselective Gold Catalysis |
| 25/02/2021 | Ana Maria Fuentes Caparros [v] | Mechanical characterisation of multi-layered hydrogels: A rheological study for 3D printed systems |
| 04/03/2021 | WISC | Networking event |
| 11/03/2021 | Lukas Stratmann [v] | Precise Distance Measurements in DNA G-Quadruplex Dimers and Sandwich Complexes by Pulsed Dipolar EPR Spectroscopy |
| 18/03/2021 | Kristen Hawkins [v] | Catalytic Supramolecular Hydrogels with a Prebiotic Nature |
| 25/03/2021 | Cristina Mozaceanu | Exploring the host-guest chemistry of M8L12 self-assembled cages in the gas phase |
| 08/04/2021 | Tony James, Carole Drury and Gareth Ashworth | From the academic lab to commercial enterprise |
| 15/04/2021 | Lynn Lisboa [v] | A Guest Releasing, Switchable Heterobimetallic [PdPtL4]4+ Cage |
| 22/04/2021 | Luis Martinez Crespo [v] | Transmembrane Transport of Proline by a Calix[4]pyrrole Cavitand |
| 29/04/2021 | Hendrik Schröder | Mechanically Interlocked Molecules Solely Made From Peptides |
| 06/05/2021 | Christian Berac | Charge-Driven Copolymerization of C3-symmetric Peptide Amphiphiles for Biological Applications |
| Tomasz Piskorz | Computational Study of Dynamics and Catalysis of Supramolecular Cages | |
| 13/05/2021 | Luke Chambers [v] | Predictive Identification of Co-Formers in Co-Amorphous Systems |
| Felix Rizzuto [v] | Reprogramming DNA Assembly Pathways with Small Molecules and Dissipative Systems | |
| 20/05/2021 | David August [v] | Self-Assembly of a Layered Two-Dimensional Molecularly Woven Fabric |
| Ru-Jin Li [v] | Light-Induced Assembly and Disassembly of Polymers with PdnL2n-Type Network Junctions | |
| 27/05/2021 | Amy Hall [v] | Turning Crystals Blue: A Dose of Salts |
| Joshua Nicks [v] | Liquid Exfoliation of Supramolecular Materials into Ultrathin, Programmable Nanosheets | |
| 03/06/2021 | Demetra Giuri [v] | Self-Assembled Fibers as Support for the Growth of a Mineral Phase |
| Emily Meekel [v] | Correlated Disorder in Metal-Organic Frameworks | |
| 10/06/2021 | Elliot Williams [v] | Synthetic Small-Molecule Library Exhibits Selective Anti-Microbial Activity |
| Rubén Álvarez-Yebra [v] | Calix[5]arene self-folding receptor for PAHs | |
| 17/06/2021 | Ben Roberts [v] | A Doubly Kinetically-Gated Information Ratchet Autonomously Driven by Carbodiimide Hydration |
| 24/06/2021 | Jonathan Sessler [v] | Macrocycle-Based Adventures in Self-Assembly and Functionalized Materials |
| 01/07/2021 | WISC [v] | Career Development Seminar on Funding |
| 08/07/2021 | Juraj Malincik [v] | Synthesis of Möbius Carbon Nanohoops |
| Subba Reddy Mekapothula [v] | Silica Bound Co-Pillar[4+1]arene as Novel Supramolecular Chromatographic Stationary Phases | |
| 15/07/2021 | Ming Li | A Tough Reversible Biomimetic Transparent Adhesive Tape with Pressure-sensitive and Wet-cleaning Properties |
| Samantha Bodman | Designing the next generation of luminescent lanthanide probes for selective anion recognition. | |
| 22/07/2021 | Irene Regeni | Dye-based Coordination Cages for Chiroptical Recognition |
| Hsin-Hua Huang | Porous Shape-Persistent Rylene Imine Cages with Tunable Optoelectronic Properties and Delayed Fluorescence | |
| 29/07/2021 | Sarah Salter | How the RSC Can Support Your Career and Professional Development |
| 28/10/2021 | Jeremy Sanders [v] | My first 50 years’ attempts to combine research, family life and institutional leadership |
| 25/11/2021 | Thorfinnur Gunnlaugsson | Synthesis and the study of supramolecular self-assembly structures and materials |
| Zoe Ashbridge | Vernier Template Synthesis of Molecular Composite Knots | |
| 27/01/2022 | Amar Flood [v] | Anion recognition and hierarchical assembly |
| John Maynard [v] | Mechanically axially chiral catenanes and noncanonically chiral rotaxanes | |
| 24/02/2022 | Konrad Tiefenbacher | Catalysis inside a closed supramolecular container: From terpene cyclizations to glycosylations |
| Federico Begato | Wines and Juices Dicarboxylic Acids as Templates for Supramolecular Cage Self-Assembly | |
| 28/04/2022 | Jon Beves [v] | Visible-light photoswitching of supramolecular systems |
| Savannah Zacharias [v] | Fill. Flush. Product. An investigation into building a reuseable stationary phase using a catalytic gel. | |
| 26/05/2022 | Niveen Khashab [v] | Supramolecular Structures with Intrinsic Microporosity for “On-demand” Separations One Step Closer to Industrial Translation |
| Kai Liu [v] | Evolutionary Dynamics of Macrocyclic Self-Replicators | |
| 30/06/2022 | Natalia Shustova | Stimuli-Responsive Metal-Organic Materials |
| Benjamin Partridge | Redefining Protein Interfaces within Protein Single Crystals with DNA | |
| 21/07/2022 | Toby Johnson [v] | A photo-responsive transmembrane anion transport relay |
| Michito Yoshizawa [v] | Aromatic Micelles: from Molecular Design to Host Functions | |
| 25/08/2022 | Maria Rando | Adaptive helicity and chiral recognition in bright europium quadruple-stranded helicates induced by host-guest interactions |
| Jen Heemstra | Interrogating Enzymatic Reactions Using Nucleic Acid Molecular Recognition and Assembly (Plus Science and Mental Health) | |
| 27/10/2022 | Panel : Marion Kieffer (InnoMedica), George Williams (U. Bristol), Michelle Garrett (U. Kent), and Helen Shipton (Katalytik). | Building external collaborations as an ECR. [A Panel Discussion; joint event with WISC (Women in Supramolecular Chemistry).] |
| 24/11/2022 | Arundhati Roy (Ludwig Maximilian U.) [v] | Foldamer-based ultrapermeable and highly selective artificial water channels that exclude protons” |
| Tomoki Ogoshi (U. Kyoto) [v] | Pillar[n]arenes”: from Simple Molecular Receptors to Supramolecular Assemblies | |
| 26/1/2023 | Michael Howlett (U. Oxford) | An Autonomously Oscillating Supramolecular Self-replicator |
| Emilio Perez (IMDEA Nanociencia) [v] | ||
| 23/2/2023 | Lucia Trevisan (U. Cambridge) [v] | Quantitative Measurement of Cooperativity in H-bonded Networks |
| Michaele Hardie (U. Leeds) [v] | Shape-changing cryptophanes and metal-organic cages | |
| 30/3/2023 | Indigo Bekaert (Leiden U.) | Remotely controlled, light-triggered folding of a chiral oligotriazole using anions as messengers |
| Judy Wu (U. Houston) | Molecules in a Hurry to Escape Antiaromaticity | |
| 27/4/2023 | Rahul Dev Mukhopadhyay (Center for Self-assembly and Complexity, IBS) [v] | Audible Sonochemistry |
| Jose Berna (U. Murcia) [v] | Selectivity in Mechanical Bond-Controlled Transformations within Hyrdogen-bonded [2]Rotaxanes | |
| 25/5/2023 | Tomas Nicolas-Garcia (IMDEA Nanoscience) [v] | Chemical Stimulation Affects the Dynamics of Shuttling in a Molecular Shuttle |
| Sophie Beeren (Technical U. Denmark) [v] | Enzyme-mediated Dynamic Combinatorial Chemistry with Cyclodextrins | |
| 22/6/2023 | Eduard Boblyev (U. Amsterdam) | Shape-derived supramolecular phenomena of nanocages and their catalytic applications |
| Michael Schmittel (U. Siegen) | How to build molecular machinery by heteroleptic multicomponent self-assembly | |
| 27/7/2023 | Tomas Gudmundsson (Trinity College Dublin) [v] | Engineered Supramolecular Gels as Functional 3D-Printable Materials |
| Tony James (U. Bath) [v] | Fluorescent Chemosensors | |
| 26/10/2023 | Zoë Ayres (she/her; Open University), Marc Reid (he/him; U. Strathclyde & Nulla Fraus Publishing), Cally Haynes (she/her; University College, London), Louise Burls-Lay (she/her; Astra Zeneca). | Managing Mental Health Panel Discussion |
| 30/11/2023 | Allison Stoddart (Chief Editor, Nature Synthesis) | The nature of chemistry publishing. |
| 25/1/2024 | Mujeeb Alam (IIT Roorke) | Deciphering the geometric self-sorting of pillar[n]arenes through an autonomous macroscopic signal |
| Hanadi Sleiman (McGill U.) | DNA Nanostructures for Therapeutic Delivery: Potential and Challenges | |
| 29/2/2024 | Abbie Scholes (U. Liverpool) | Synthesis, Solution and Solid State Behaviour of Substituted Isotrianglimines |
| Kay Severin (EPFL Lausanne) | Structure, Dynamics, and Host-Guest Chemistry of Some Metal-Based Molecular Cages | |
| 28/3/2024 | Adrian Saura-Sanmartin (U. Murcia) [v] | Self-assembly of a cyclic hetero[4]pseudorotaxane |
| Claudia Caltagirone (U. Cagliari) [v] | Anion supramolecular chemistry: from molecular recognition to application | |
| 25/4/2024 | Megan Westwood (UCL) | Investigating hydrogen bonding in conjugated polymers for self-healing wearable electronics |
| Helma Wennemers (ETH Zurich) | Controlling Supramolecular Assemblies with Peptides | |
| 30/5/2024 | Jorge S Valera, (U. Strasbourg) | Dual light control in a catalytically-driven chemical reaction cycle |
| Kate Jolliffe (U. Sydney) | Artificial peptides, peptidomimetics and macrocycles for oxoanion recognition and sensing | |
| 27/6/2024 | Matúš Chvojka (U. Libre de Bruxelles) | Tuning Bambusurils towards Picomolar Anion Affinity via Distant Substituent Effects |
| Bart Jan Ravoo (University of Munster) | Photoresponsive supramolecular materials | |
| 25/7/2024 | Shaun Gartland (University of Oxford) | Photocaged Zinc (II) Cationophores for Inter-Vesicle Signal Transduction |
| James Crowley (University of Otago) | Heterometallic low-symmetry metallosupramolecular cages: Self-assembly, switching and molecular recognition | |
| 31/10/2024 | Wojciech Stawski (U. Oxford/Ulm) | Facts, Myths and Sandwiches: Anions of [18]Annulene |
| Stefan Huber (Ruhr Universitat Bochum) | Halogen bonding organocatalysis | |
| 28/11/2024 | Brigitte Kriebisch (TUM, Munich) | TBC |
| Javier Montenegro (U. Santiago de Compostela) | Simple peptide amphiphiles at the origin of functional protofilaments | |
| 30/1/2025 | Emanuele Penocchio (Northwestern U.) | Power strokes in molecular motors: Predictive, irrelevant, or somewhere in between? |
| Anindita Das (IACS, Kolkata) | Programmable Two-Dimensional (2D) Structures by Polymer Crystallization-Driven Self-Assembly | |
| 27/2/2025 | Jiaming Huang (ICIQ) | Confinement Effect: Diels-Alder Reaction Mediated by a Calix[4]pyrrole-based Cage |
| Valérie Heitz (U. Strasbourg) | Multicomponent Stimuli-Responsive Receptors | |
| 27/3/2025 | Giulia Lavarda (TU Eindhoven) [v] | Simon Webb (U. Manchester) |
| Simon Webb (U. Manchester) [v] | Conformationally Switchable Molecular Devices for the Transmission of Information | |
| 24/4/2025 | Kaiyuan Liang (U. Strasbourg) | Catalysis-driven primary active transport of small molecules through liquid membranes |
| Paola Ceroni (U. Bologna) | Photocatalysis: unexpected photochemical mechanisms | |
| 29/5/2025 | Marco Ovalle (U. Groningen) | Influence of geometrical photoisomerization in dynamic self-assembly |
| Jeanne Crassous (U. Rennes) | Chirality-related properties of supramolecular assemblies of helicenes | |
| 26/6/2025 | Vivian Shang (U. Queensland) | Metallosupramolecular Cages via a Chiral Auxiliary Strategy |
| Hennie Valkenier (U. Libre de Bruxelles) [v] | Overcoming challenges in the transmembrane transport of oxoanions | |
| 31/7/2025 | Krystyna Maslowska-Jarzyna (U. Warsaw) [v] | Small synthetic anionophores increase the activity of anionic drugs in vitro |
| Max von Delius (Ulm Uni.) [v] | Driving Organophosphates out of Equilibrium | |
| 25/9/2025 | Muhammad Ghufran Rafique (McGill U.) | Why nature/We chose phosphates |
| Chebrolu Pulla Rao (SRM University AP) [v] | Inorganic – Protein Nanomaterials in Sustainable Water Remediation | |
| 30/10/2025 | James M. Gallagher (UC, Berkeley) [v] | Ratcheting synthesis: How to drive chemistry out-of-equilibrium |
| Jennifer Hiscock (U. Kent, Canterbury) [v] | Can you stop a bullet with protein? |
We maintain a library of recordings, which should be available to vMASC members. If a particular talk is marked “[v]”, there is a recording available. Please email vMASC2020@gmail.com, specifying which video you would like access to, and confirming that you’re a vMASC member (on our mailing list), and we will get back to you as soon as possible (please be patient – this is performed by a human member of the vMASC comittee).
Macrocyclic and Supramolecular Chemistry (MASC) Group 