Research Interests: Nature provides us with a tremendous variety of small molecules that possess fascinating structure and potent medicinal properties. Their biological origin is as diverse as their chemical composition (see below). Research in this group aims to identify and synthesize naturally occurring heterocycles with significant biological function (antifungal, anticancer, antimalarial, neuromodulatory).  We also working to prepare novel antibacterial/antiseptic compounds to combat antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.  

 

Natural Product Isolation Project:  Globally, amphibians face one of the largest extinction rates in the animal kingdom. Although habitat destruction is a major cause of amphibian extinctions, infection from the fungal pathogen, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, is a large contributor.  Our group is working in collaboration with two ecologists, Dr. Reid Harris at James Madison University and Dr. Lisa Belden at Virginia Tech to examine bacterially-produced natural products endemic to the skins of frogs and salamanders that may confer protection against this chytrid fungus.  This was highlighted in a special on the Smithsonian Channel; see the preview.  We have also begun a collaboration with Dr. Louise Rollins-Smith at Vanderbilt University, to further investigate Bd.  We also have a collaboration with Dr. Gail Hearn's Lab at Drexel University, to improve our metabolite sampling protocol using swabs.

Panamanian Golden Frog, photo by B. Gratwicke

         
                Three compounds we've isolated from bacteria on salamander skin.                                          
                                                                                              

Medicinal Chemistry Project:  Bacteria are developing resistance at a rate faster than new antibiotics are coming to market.  Using a novel polycephalic (multi-headed) platform, we are developing novel antiseptics to more efficiently disrupt cell membranes and lyse bacteria.    Check out our recent paper in this area!