Solving important biological problems requires the application of fundamental chemical principles. The elucidation of biosynthetic pathways, the discovery of unknown natural products, and the study of biological catalysis leads to strategies for medical treatment. Targeted synthesis of bioactive molecules enables the development of novel therapeutic compounds. The application of microscopic and spectroscopic methods to the study of biological macromolecules provides key insights into important structure-function relationships that govern biological processes. The design of new probes, detection methods, and diagnostic reagents can lead to valuable tools for monitoring and treating disease. Efforts in our Department in these areas are leading to the discovery of drugs, delivery vehicles, imaging agents, and technologies for the treatment and diagnosis of infections, cancer, diabetes, and other diseases.
