University of Oxford
Langton Research Group
Supramolecular and Coordination Chemistry

Research

Synthetic Supramolecular and Coordination Chemistry

Our research is in the broad areas of supramolecular chemistry and coordination chemistry, particularly areas in which these fields overlap with biological chemistry, lipid bilayer membrane chemistry, and molecular nanotechnology.

Cartoon depiction of relay transport process

Molecular Machines in Lipid Bilayer Membranes

03 February 2026
Our research group is interested in designing synthetic molecular machines which act as switches, motors and sensors for applications at the interface of supramolecular chemistry and biology.
Chemical model of a lanthanide complex

Molecular Photoswitches, Fluorescent Ion Sensors, and Lanthanide Complexes

03 February 2026
We are developing new types of molecular photo switches, in which photo-isomerisation is triggered with bio-compatible wavelengths of red/near IR light for a range of applications in biological contexts.
Cartoon depiction of intravesicular catalysis system

Catalysis and Signalling in Synthetic and Living Cells

03 February 2026
We are developing methods to control transition metal catalysts inside synthetic and living cells, in order to mediate synthetically useful in-cell chemical transformations.
Cartoon depiction of transport process

Synthetic Transmembrane Ion Transport Systems

03 February 2026
We are interested in developing synthetic ion transport systems capable of mediating transport of ions and polar molecules across lipid bilayer membranes.
Our group's research in membrane supramolecular chemistry has been recently highlighted in a Team Profile in Angewandte Chemie.