Total synthesis of natural products, especially anti-cancer agents; medicinal chemistry; biochemistry of cellular signal transduction and second messengers; eicosanoids; inositol phosphates.

Research Description

The main theme of our research is the application of synthetic and bioorganic chemistry to problems of biochemical and medicinal relevance. All of the techniques of contemporary organic chemistry, spectroscopy, and chromatography are utilized in a highly interactive, multi-disciplinary environment supported by state-of-the-art instrumentation. Several projects involve collaborations with laboratories specializing in pharmacology, physiology, internal medicine, nephrology, and oncology at UT Southwestern and other institutions.

Natural Products Total Syntheses

Apoptolidin: a 20-membered triene conjugated macrolactone isolated from  Nocardiopsis sp. It induces cell death or apoptosis in E1A transformed cells but not in normal cells via selective inhibition of F0F1-ATPase*.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annocatalin: A new monoteyrahydrofuran acetogenin from Annona muricata. It shows significant and selective cytotoxicity towards the hepatitis transfected human hepatoma Hep 2,2,15 cell line**.