Organic
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Associate Professor
rrk0008@auburn.edu
PhD Cornell University Weill Graduate School of Medical Science (2014)
Disciplines: organic, medicinal, synthesis
Our research group is interested in the synthesis, diversification, and structure-activity relationship studies of natural products for identifying new bioactive scaffolds. Methodology development is also an important part of our research program as it allows to overcome the unique synthetic challenges associated with the synthesis and late stage functionalization of complex natural products. We are particularly interested in the natural product scaffolds for the treatment of neurological disorders and infectious diseases.
S.D. and Karen H. Worley Associate Professor
blm0022@auburn.edu
PhD Memorial University of Newfoundland (2010)
Disciplines: organic, synthesis, medicinal, materials
Target-Oriented Chemical Synthesis: Our group’s research program is centered on the development of new synthetic tools and strategies for accessing complex organic molecules. Synthetic targets that are pursued include anticancer natural products, RNA-based therapeutics, medicinally relevant and constrained macrocycles, as well as hydrocarbon materials that can be employed in the bottom-up chemical synthesis of structurally uniform carbon nanostructures.
Professor
schnest@auburn.edu
PhD Indiana University (1968)
Disciplines: organic, medicinal
The research currently underway in our laboratory is focused on antiviral drug design and discovery for treating emerging and reemerging viral infections for which there is no suitable therapy, including vaccination. Our focus is on inhibition of terminal viral mRNA methylation based on varying the methyl donor cofactor S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet, shown above). To date, success has been found towards the flaviviruses (dengue, yellow fever), the viral hemorrhagic fever viruses (including Ebola), and the orthopox (monkey pox) viruses, among others.