Chemistry Centers

Chemical Biology Center (CBC) applies advanced chemical biology methods to develop sophisticated chemical tools designed to map and interrogate disease-related biological pathways. The CBC chemical toolbox includes PROTACs, molecular glues, pull-down, photoaffinity, and imaging probes. The center has experience developing and utilizing biochemical assays, including fluorescence polarization (FP), time-resolved fluorescence energy transfer (TR-FRET), AlphaScreen, and cell-based assays such as CellTiter-Glo, Caspase-Glo, alamar-blue and HiBit. The CBC is currently staffed with five scientists (four chemists and a structure biologist).

Medicinal Chemistry Center (MCC) : MCC focuses on identification and development of potent and selective small molecules for investigation of disease related biological targets in cells and in vivo preclinical models. Typically, the center engages in hypothesis driven research projects to provide novel chemical probes for targets where such molecules do not exist. The MCC’s role in these collaborations would drive projects from post-screening data analysis, hit generation and validation (e.g. HTS, fragment screening, rational design), through lead optimization relying on structure-based drug discovery, chemoinformatics and ADME data, to delivering robust in vitro/vivo chemical probes. The center is currently staffed with five chemists, four PhD and one MS scientists. .  

The Analytical Technologies Center (ATC) : ATC provides an extensive battery of assays designed to evaluate compound chemical, biochemical, biophysical and ADME properties. These include sample purity and integrity, aqueous solubility, permeability, microsomal and plasma stability, simulated gastric fluid stability, PBS stability, plasma/tissue protein binding, P-gp/BCRP efflux, as well as in vivo pharmacokinetic parameters such as drug plasma and brain unbound concentrations. The center also develops highly customized bioanalytical methods such as mass spectrometry-based biochemical assays, as well as drug formulations for in vivo studies. The center currently has 7 FTEs: two PhD scientists supporting the FTMS facility, and five PhD scientists in general analytical chemistry.