Our research program centers on organic synthesis and extends into bio-organic chemistry. We are synthesizing biologically active natural products, developing enzyme-based synthetic strategies, and examining molecular recognition in solution and at organic surfaces. Immunomodulatory compounds afford several research challenges. We use the total synthesis of immunologically active natural products to develop an understanding of the structures of these compounds and how they modulate the immune response. In the course of this research we are developing new stereoselective transformations including radical-mediated processes and alkylation methods.
Enzymes catalyze numerous biochemical transformations, often with astounding selectivity.
We utilize cell free enzymes as catalysts for enantioselective synthesis. By incorporating versatile functionality in the enzyme substrates, we set the stage for combined chemical and enzymatic syntheses of a variety of biologically and medicinally important structures. Our projects in molecular recognition examine recognition in solution and on organic surfaces. In solution, we are modeling cellular ion transport by using switchable synthetic ionophores in an ion transport system. The molecular switches harness the energy required to move ions across a hydrophobic phase against a concentration gradient.