Biography
Associate Dean, College of Science 2008 - present
Professor, University of Notre Dame, 2004-present
Associate Professor, University of Notre Dame, 2001-2004
Assistant Professor, University of Notre Dame, 1995-2001
Postdoctoral Associate, Stanford University, 1992-1995 (Paul A. Wender)
Ph.D., Rensselaer, 1992 (Arthur G. Schultz) 1992B.S., SUNY Oswego, 1987
HONORS AND AWARDS
2007: Rev. Edmund P. Joyce Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
2007: Silveira Distinguished Lecturer, Oswego State University
2002: Kaneb Teaching Award
2000: Eli Lilly Grantee Award
1998: NSF Early Career Award
Research Interests
Our group is interested in the exploring the potential of polyketide natural products as chemotherapeutic agents particularly directed against cancer. Towards this end our group's expertise includes synthetic chemistry, molecular modeling, and molecular biology/biochemistry. In recent years the we have completed the total synthesis of the complex natural products, epothilones A, B, C and D, myriaporones 1, 3 and 4, peloruside A and neopeltolide.
Our analogue design strategy is focused towards the determination of the structural and conformational constraints of binding. Our group has demonstrated that the information gained from what we have termed conformation-activity relationships complements classic SAR with the goal of providing a detailed pharmacophore model and assist in the design of future chemotherapeutic agents. Another unique aspect of our analogue design strategy is the exploitation of biosynthetic enzymes called polyketide synthases. We have demonstrated the semi-synthetic production of epothilone natural products and analogues through the use of genetically engineered organisms thus alleviating any concerns about the high cost of total synthesis of compounds of this complexity.
In addition to our successful total syntheses and medicinal chemistry efforts, our group has already contributed significantly to the field of organic synthesis through the development of a number of new synthetic methodologies that solved key problems in our targeted efforts.
Our analogue design strategy is focused towards the determination of the structural and conformational constraints of binding. Our group has demonstrated that the information gained from what we have termed conformation-activity relationships complements classic SAR with the goal of providing a detailed pharmacophore model and assist in the design of future chemotherapeutic agents. Another unique aspect of our analogue design strategy is the exploitation of biosynthetic enzymes called polyketide synthases. We have demonstrated the semi-synthetic production of epothilone natural products and analogues through the use of genetically engineered organisms thus alleviating any concerns about the high cost of total synthesis of compounds of this complexity.
In addition to our successful total syntheses and medicinal chemistry efforts, our group has already contributed significantly to the field of organic synthesis through the development of a number of new synthetic methodologies that solved key problems in our targeted efforts.
Synthetic Methodology and Total Synthesis
Conformation-Activity Relationships
Polyketide Synthases and Biosynthesis
Recent Papers
Full publication list
Link
Link
Kartika, R.; Gruffi, T. R.; Taylor, R. E. “Efficient Total Synthesis of Neopeltoldie Macrolactone Highlighted by Ether Transfer” Org. Lett. 2008, 10, 5047-5050.
Hines, J.; Roy, M.; Cheng, H.; Agapakis, C. M.; Taylor, R. E.; Crews, C. M. “Myriaporone 3/4 SAR Studies Reveal a Novel Pharmacophore Targeting Eukaryotic Protein Synthesis” Molecular Biosystems 2006, 2, 371-379.
Kartika, R.; Frein, J. D.; Taylor, R. E. "Electrophilone-Induced Ether Transfer: Stereoselective Synthesis of 2,6-Disubstituted-3,4-Dihydropyrans" J. Org. Chem. 2008, 73, 5592-5594.
Huzil, J. T.; Chik, J. K.; Slysz, G. W.; Freedman, H.; Tuszynski, J.; Taylor, R. E.; Sackett, D. L.; Schriemer, D. C. “A Unique Mode of Microtubule Stabilization Induced by Peloruside A” J. Mol. Biol. 2008, 378, 1016-1030.
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Contact Information
- Associate Dean for Research and Computing; College of Science
Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry - Office: 364 Stepan Chemistry
- Phone: 574.631.5674
- Contact by Email
- Group Website
Primary Research Areas
Research Specialties
- Drug Design & Discovery
- Molecular and Cell Biology
- Synthetic Chemistry
- Theoretical & Computational Chemistry
- Molecular Medicine
Lab Personnel
- Erin M. Daly
- Kai Liu
- Vince M. Lombardo
- Christopher Nicholson
- Lionel C. Nicolas
- Sebastian Wuensch
- Jeannette M. Young
- Dr. Jeffrey Frein
Postdoctoral Research Associate - Anastasie Kena Diba
Visiting Researcher from Hannover - Simone Bigi
Undergraduate Research Participant - Tommy Gruffi
Undergraduate Research Participant - Elaine Ngo
Undergraduate Research Participant - Tommy Osberger
Undergraduate Research Participant
