Chemical Biology

Chemical reactions underlie core biologic processes. Chemists in our department study these reactions, synthesize bioactive molecules, and develop small molecule inhibitors. Early-stage drug discovery translates understanding of protein structure and function into entry-level screens for new cancer therapeutics.

Learn more about our Chemical Biology Program.

  • The Buhrlage Lab is developing small molecules for therapies targeting deubiquitylating enzymes (DUBs) that inhibit the degradation of oncogenic proteins.
  • The Qi Lab is designing small molecule inhibitors of epigenetic protein targets with therapeutic potential.
  • The Kim Lab is exploring novel strategies to synthesize complex molecular architectures that provide opportunities for new therapeutic approaches.