Bioactive Molecules

Our Research

The Bioactive Molecules (BAM) stream is at the forefront of drug discovery. In our organic chemistry laboratory, we synthesize collections of small molecules with strategically designed chemical scaffolds that exhibit affinities for selected macromolecules of biological significance, and demonstrate a high potential for drug-likeness.

Through molecular modeling and wet-laboratory experimentation, our goal is to gain a better understanding of the relationship between the 3D structure of a molecule and its biological activity, that is, the structure-activity relationship (SAR), to help develop novel therapeutics.

Our synthetic efforts are directed towards unmet clinical needs, drug repositioning, or minimizing unwanted side effects of current drugs on the market.

Our Strategy

Using research techniques in organic chemistry, our lab synthesizes small molecular probes, called ligands, in order to investigate disease mechanisms, with the overall goal of paving the way for the development of new pharmaceutical candidates. 

In BAM, students are exposed to introductory and advanced concepts in organic chemistry and build projects from the ground-up in a collaborative environemnt.  Students also develop transferable skills that are amenable to upper-level science coursework, professional schools, and careers beyond academia. 

We also focus on:

• problem-solving, time management, initiative
• project development, scientific communication, and data analysis

Our Impact

Did you know that the development of a new FDA approved drug from idea to launch is a complex journey which can take ~15 years and cost greater than $1 billion?  Furthermore, an understanding of the way proteins, enzymes, or receptors interact with small molecules is integral to drug discovery. 

By contributing to the design phase of this arduous pathway, we hope to provide the scientific community with access to new small molecules that are prime candidates for the next step in the process, target identification and validation.