Research Interests
Research in our lab takes a bottom-up approach to tackling molecular challenges in cancer biology. Basic chemical research – development of new reactions, exploration of novel synthetic strategies, discovery of new molecular reactivity, and synthesis of complex molecular architectures – fuels our drive to access useful compounds for the study and manipulation of biological systems. Our research interests lie at the intersection of chemistry and cancer biology.
Bioorthogonal Chemistry: We are interested in expanding the functional repertoire of bioorthogonal chemistry. Exploring fundamental principles in physical organic chemistry, we design and develop new chemical reactions that are compatible with biological systems. We are particularly interested in reactions that enable us to perform complex chemical operations on biomacromolecules and novel reagents that enable us to modify proteins and nucleic acids in powerful ways.
Target Discovery: Our lab develops chemoproteomics tools and applies them to address challenging problems in target identification, protein-protein interaction discovery, and covalent drug discovery. Target identification is an essential step in identifying novel biological targets for drug discovery efforts, and our tools seek to elucidate on- and off-target proteins that bioactive small molecules bind. We also explore new methods and strategies to probe the network of proteins that interact with important proteins and protein complexes that are dysregulated in disease. Additionally, we create new tools to evaluate how well drugs or drug fragments engage with their intended targets.
Drug Discovery: Our drug discovery efforts focus on the identification of macrocyclic peptides that are suitable for targeting protein-protein interactions. We are pursuing a drug discovery platform that span library synthesis to hit validation, and we place special emphasis on the appropriate curation of library compounds to optimize their physicochemical properties.
Biomaterials: We explore the synthesis and properties of functionally dynamic hydrogels and polymers. We design materials that are compatible with biological systems and whose functional properties can be manipulated on demand through bioorthogonal chemical control.
Bioorthogonal Chemistry: We are interested in expanding the functional repertoire of bioorthogonal chemistry. Exploring fundamental principles in physical organic chemistry, we design and develop new chemical reactions that are compatible with biological systems. We are particularly interested in reactions that enable us to perform complex chemical operations on biomacromolecules and novel reagents that enable us to modify proteins and nucleic acids in powerful ways.
Target Discovery: Our lab develops chemoproteomics tools and applies them to address challenging problems in target identification, protein-protein interaction discovery, and covalent drug discovery. Target identification is an essential step in identifying novel biological targets for drug discovery efforts, and our tools seek to elucidate on- and off-target proteins that bioactive small molecules bind. We also explore new methods and strategies to probe the network of proteins that interact with important proteins and protein complexes that are dysregulated in disease. Additionally, we create new tools to evaluate how well drugs or drug fragments engage with their intended targets.
Drug Discovery: Our drug discovery efforts focus on the identification of macrocyclic peptides that are suitable for targeting protein-protein interactions. We are pursuing a drug discovery platform that span library synthesis to hit validation, and we place special emphasis on the appropriate curation of library compounds to optimize their physicochemical properties.
Biomaterials: We explore the synthesis and properties of functionally dynamic hydrogels and polymers. We design materials that are compatible with biological systems and whose functional properties can be manipulated on demand through bioorthogonal chemical control.
