Medicinal chemistry research in my lab is a collaborative exercise where we engage other scientists with complimentary interests. Currently, we are engaged in discovery of protein kinase inhibitors for anti infective and anti inflammatory applications and in the discovery of new agents useful for the potential treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. We are working with others at MSU as well as scientists in other universities and research institutes.

medicinal chemistry

HSP90 inhibition

My lab is investigating structure activity relationships in a natural product that has activity as an inhibitor of HSP90. HSP90 is a key chaperone protein that plays a role in apoptosis, protein trafficking and folding. Inhibitors have been shown to be useful in preclinical models of neuroprotection and cancer. We are working with scientists at the University of Rochester to study new compounds and investigate their activity.

Protein kinase inhibitors for parasitic diseases

Collaborative drug discovery research is being carried out with Professor John Siekierka and coworkers in his laboratory and with researchers at Celgene Incorporated. Colleagues in my lab are synthesizing new analogs of a lead structure as potential protein kinase inhibitors. These compounds are being evaluated in Professor Siekierka's lab for activity against the target kinase and against the parasite for activity. Scientists at Celgene carry out more detailed studies with selected new molecules to evaluate their drug like properties. Together the team hopes to be able to identify molecules suitable for testing in humans to treat parasitic diseases.