Theoretical chemistry and mechanistic organic chemistry.
Robert D. Bach

The development of new methods in organic synthesis.  An emphasis will be
the enantioselective synthesis of strained molecules, which will
subsequently be transformed into larger, unstrained molecules using
reactions that increase functionality with absolute control of stereochemistry.Joseph Fox

Bioorganic: Design and synthesis of small molecules and biomolecular systems for the regulation of gene transcription; glycomimics, receptor ligand design, protein engineering. We work to apply organic chemistry in new ways to interact with biological systems through the rational design and manipulation of small molecules through organic synthesis and biomolecules such as nucleic acids and proteins. John T. Koh

Bioorganic Chemistry: Our research employs a combination of peptide and
protein design as well as chemical synthesis to construct biologically relevant
molecules whose properties are probed by a variety of biophysical techniques. Specifically, we are currently interested in the design and synthesis of water soluble receptors that will inhibit bacterial cell wall biosynthesis. These conformationally restricted receptors are designed to bind the nascent cell wall dipeptide D-Ala-D-Ala, ultimately leading to the development of novel antibiotics. We are also developing methodology aimed at conformationally constraining peptide sequences via lanthanide metal chelation. This research involves the synthesis of novel C- and N-terminal metal binding auxiliaries, their incorporation into peptide sequences, and investigating the metal binding properties of the resulting peptidic constructs. Joel Schneider

We are interested in the enantioselective synthesis of complex, physiologicallyactive natural products. To this end, we are interested in developing new organic reactions, and in using computational methods to understand stoichiometric and catalytic organometallic chemistry.
Douglass F. Taber

Our research focuses on the design, synthesis and development of small molecules and minimalist polymers with biological activity, the elucidation of fundamental principles of and discovery of effectors of biological interactions, the development of novel, functional proteins, and the development of novel and useful methods of enantioselective catalysis.
Neal J. Zondlo

Much of our Department is New, Improved and still getting Better!

During the course of the past decade, our department has undergone dramatic changes.

It started in the early nineties when we started improve our facilities.  The construction of Lammot DuPont laboratory and renovations to parts of Brown and Drake Labs have made much of our facilities rival the best anywhere!  See the amazing PICTURE TOUR OF OUR DEPARTMENT put together by the Taber Group.

Our commitment to excellence does not stop at just bricks!  The department and the university has made a substantial investment in new faculty to enhance and expand the high quality research in our department.  Indeed nearly one third of the faculty in our department have been hired in the past six years!  This a remarkable time of growth and discovery.  We welcome you to stop by for a visit!