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Research

  • Chemical Biology Program

    lab equipment

    We perform research in chemical biology, informed by structural and mechanistic insights.

    two Chemical Biology Program staff members in the lab

    One of our goals is to go after difficult drug targets through innovative chemistry.

    Longwood Center

    We are an intellectual center for small molecule discovery and development.

    two Chemical Biology Program staff members talking in lab

    We collaborate with basic cancer research groups, clinical colleagues, and external partners.

    two Chemical Biology Program staff members at a computer

    We are training the next generation of innovative and collaborative chemical biologists.

    Chemical biology is one of the most rapidly growing fields of investigation in the cancer field and beyond.

    Advances and Developments

Chemical Biology Program Overview

  • At Dana-Farber's Chemical Biology Program, we perform basic research in cancer chemical biology and develop new chemical probes and therapeutic strategies based on structural and mechanistic insights. We find inspiration in both unanswered biological questions and unmet clinical needs.

    The Chemical Biology Program is internationally recognized as a center of excellence in the field. Our chemical biology investigators have made important contributions to advancing targeted cancer therapy, and some of the compounds developed in the program are now benefiting patients. What makes our program an exceptional place to do science are extraordinary and energetic graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, staff scientists, and technicians, who work relentlessly to provide chemistry-inspired solutions targeting cancer, as well as infectious, neurodegenerative, and autoimmune diseases.

    Our faculty members hold academic appointments at Dana-Farber's Department of Cancer Biology and Department of Pediatric Oncology, as well as at Harvard Medical School. Our trainees come from a range of Harvard Medical School graduate programs, as well as Harvard's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

    Learn more about our mission and emphasis

    Learn about career opportunities in the Chemical Biology Program

  • Our Research Focus

    chemical biology illustration 1

    Small Molecule Probes, Inhibitors, and Degraders

    Our chemical biology efforts focus on developing new classes of small molecule modulators, like allosteric and covalent inhibitors and the degrader molecules, for challenging targets. We customize our chemical solutions to fit the biological and/or clinical questions being asked.

    chemical biology illustration 2

    Protein-Protein Interactions

    Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) mediate many of the cellular processes that are misfiring in cancer and other diseases. Yet, PPIs are notoriously difficult to target with small molecules. Our researchers are developing stapled peptides and other innovative strategies to better understand, control, and target PPIs.

    proteomics equipment

    Structural Biology and Proteomics

    Our structural biology and proteomics faculty solve structures of key molecular players that drive cancer and map their interactions. We use structural and proteomics information to frame and assist small molecule development and design, and as a window into selectivity, specificity, and the mechanism of action. Our program houses the Structural Biology Core, the NMR Spectroscopy Core, and the Blais Proteomics Center.

    chemical biology illustration 3

    Medicinal Chemistry

    Development of new pharmacologic agents requires extensive exploration of the chemical space to optimize the drug-like properties. Our medicinal chemistry faculty and the Medicinal Chemistry Core have expertise in transforming tool compounds into preclinical candidates.

    Chemical Biology staff member in lab

    Basic Chemistry and Chemical Biology

    Our faculty is developing new organic and analytical methodologies, as well as investigating basic principles of chemical and biological mechanisms, which serve as an essential fuel for our translational efforts.

    Chemical Biology team

    Chemical Biology Interest Group

    At monthly faculty meetings, chemical biologists and their guests discuss ongoing research in their labs to foster collaboration and translation of chemical biology principles into basic and clinical advancements.

  • Featured Videos: Our researchers describe their work

  • Chemical Biology: Small Molecules Making a Big Impact
    A look inside the growing Chemical Biology program at Dana-Farber: Program Director Milka Kostic, PhD, takes you into the labs where chemists and biologists work side-by-side, making and testing small molecules. They're seeking out what might be driving a cancer tumor, and the hope is that these molecules might someday be powerful cancer-fighting drugs.

  • Physician-scientist fighting pediatric cancers
    Loren Walensky, MD, PhD, of Dana-Farber's Department of Pediatric Oncology and the Chemical Biology Program, speaks about the collaborative drug discovery happening in the Longwood Center at Dana-Farber.

  • Medicinal chemist making new drugs
    Sara Buhrlage, PhD, of Dana-Farber's Department of Cancer Biology and the Chemical Biology Program, explains the collaborative process of creating first-in-class drugs at Dana-Farber.

  • Support Our Cancer Research

    To learn more about the many ways you can support Dana-Farber's research initiatives with a philanthropic gift, please contact Rebecca Shortle at 617-632-4215 or rebecca_shortle@dfci.harvard.edu.

    Contact Us

    If you are interested in collaborating with our Chemical Biology Program investigators or in learning more about our research, please email our Program Director, Milka Kostic, PhD, or follow us on Twitter.

  • Topics in Chemical Biology

    Publications
    4/30/2021

    Pioneering a new class of cancer drugs designed to make tumor-promoting proteins disappear

    • Protein Degradation
    • Chemical Biology
    • Blood Cancer
    _
    News Releases
    11/12/2019

    Dana-Farber Researcher awarded 2019 Paul Marks Prize for Cancer Research

    • Chemical Biology
    Insight Blog
    9/30/2019

    Chemical Toolkit Aids Study of Cancer Drug Resistance

    • Chemical Biology
    • Research
    peptides illustration
    Publications
    6/10/2019

    Compound Growth

    • Protein Degradation
    • Chemical Biology
    Kimberly Stegmaier, MD.
    Insight Blog
    9/20/2018

    Collaborating on a Cure for Pediatric Cancers

    • Chemical Biology
    • Research
    Milka Kostic, PhD, Program Director of the Chemical Biology Program at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
    Insight Blog
    5/10/2018

    How Chemical Biology Seeks to Improve Cancer Treatment and Research

    • Cancer Biology
    • Chemical Biology
    • Research
    Nathanael Gray, PhD
    News Releases
    3/26/2018

    Scientists create powerful, rapid system for degrading proteins

    • Cancer Biology
    • Protein Degradation
    • Chemical Biology
    • Research
    • Precision Cancer Medicine
    David Frank, MD.
    Insight Blog
    12/12/2017

    Basic, Clinical and Translational Research: What’s the Difference?

    • Chemical Biology
    • Research