The Paley group specializes in developing new methods for synthetic organic chemistry. We are currently using planar chiral, enantiomerically pure iron(0) tricarbonyl diene complexes to control the absolute stereochemistry at positions along the periphery of these dienes to make spiroketals, carbocycles, and other natural product sub-units.

The Yatsunyk group focuses on the non-canonical DNA structures, namely G-quadruplex DNA, i-motif, and the DNA with an unknown structure implicated in replication stress. Such DNA is proposed to play regulatory roles in cancer and targeting them with novel small molecule ligands, notably porphyrins, may lead to new way of treating cancer. Current work includes pursuing X-ray crystallography of non-canonical DNA alone and in complex with ligands as well as biophysical characterization of ligand – DNA interactions.   More about the Yatsunyk Lab

The Howard group uses physical chemistry to study molecules bound to biological membranes. Current work focuses on using magnetic resonance spectroscopies to study the structure and drug binding properties of a protein from influenza virus. More about the Howard Lab

The Miller group uses biochemical methods to study the chemical basis of bacterial communication. In particular, we use x-ray crystallography to visualize the bacterial proteins and signal molecules in 3-dimensions at atomic resolution. More about the Miller Lab

The Graves group is interested in the development of novel aluminum complexes for application as catalysts. Current projects include the synthesis of aluminum complexes of redox active ligands across various oxidation states with the aim of expanding the utility of aluminum in catalysis by enabling novel reaction profiles.

The Riley group is interested in measuring the dynamic interactions of metal nanoparticles (e.g., silver) in biological and environmental solutions. Currently, group members are developing electrochemical and spectroscopic tools to quantify nanoparticle dissolution and aggregation rates, and to determine the affinity and rate of adsorption of organic molecules and proteins on nanoparticle surfaces.

The Fera lab is interested in understanding how some antibodies produced by the immune system develop to recognize a wide range of viral antigens. Towards this goal, lab members are looking at interactions between antibodies and either the HIV or influenza virus "spikes". Specifically, they are determining low- and atomic- resolution structures of complexes, and determining binding affinities between antibody variants and their targets. These analyses will provide insight into the co-evolutionary pathways that result in antibodies with great breadth, which would be informative for vaccine design.