Our research program integrates diversity-oriented target synthesis based on privileged structures of biologically active small molecules (both natural products and analogs), elucidation of their modes of action at the molecular level, and identification of relevant cellular targets for potential therapeutic intervention.
Our initial research projects will focus on the development of novel synthetic methods and the application of these newly developed methods to chemical synthesis. We are interested in developing novel classes of catalysts that would rival enzymatic catalysis. Catalysis is one of the most important determining factors in the efficiency of any thermodynamically allowed reactions, and continues to remain one of the frontiers of organic chemistry. Development of efficient synthetic methods would allow us to gain access to a diverse array of small molecules for screening cellular activity and elucidating mechanisms of action. Through this chemical biology approach, we hope to discover and invent new medicines for human diseases. We are particularly interested in cell-permeable small molecules that inhibit angiogenesis, a blood vessel formation process that is essential for tumor growth. In vivo antiangiogenesis studies can be carried out using cornea micropocket assays.