The laboratory is initially focused in the area of total synthesis targeting biologically active natural products. Such substances have a glorious history in enabling discoveries in biology and medicine as demonstrated by the success tales of aspirin, penicillin and Taxol. By exploiting the opportunities provided by novel bioactive naturally occurring substances, endeavors in total synthesis often lead to discoveries and inventions in chemistry, biology and medicine. Thus, in addition to delivering the frequently scarce targeted substances for further investigations, such pursuits often lead to new synthetic technologies and strategies that have broader applicability in other areas of chemistry.
The strategies developed towards the target molecule can also be applied to synthesise arrays of designed analogs of the natural products for biological evaluation in the hope of improving their pharmacological properties. In addition to its potential for discoveries and inventions in chemistry and biology, endeavors in total synthesis offer unique opportunities for drug discovery and development and for training and preparing talented individuals for the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and chemical sectors.
The generosity of nature in providing biologically active molecules is well known. Whether these precious and inspiring gifts of nature come from the forest (plants), soil (microorganisms) or the ocean (marine creatures), these compounds are often scarce and appear as single chemical entities, although sometimes they come plentiful and in clusters. Interwoven within endeavors in total synthesis, programs in chemical biology are directed toward the molecular design, chemical synthesis and biological investigation of analogs of the naturally occurring molecules produced by combinatorial chemistry or target-oriented synthesis. These efforts often result in collaborations with biologists and lead to important new advances in biology and medicine. Indeed, it is the synergistic and integrated efforts of biologists and chemists that lead to medical breakthroughs whether these occur in academia or industry.
On the other hand, the imaginative and skillful chemist may design his or her own molecules with specific functions intended for any purpose, whether for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, nutritional, agricultural, material or nanotechnological applications. We, therefore, welcome such interdisciplinary collaborations and encourage biologists and nanotechnologists to contact us for possible joint ventures in which our chemical synthesis expertise can complement theirs in projects directed toward solving major scientific, medical and technological challenges. Indeed, we look forward to fruitful interactions with other scientists within Biopolis as well as outside Biopolis as we attempt to garner new knowledge for the benefit of mankind.
Our current efforts are directed at the synthesis of several complex molecules endowed with important biological activities such as antitumor, antibiotic and other disease relevant properties.
