Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery

Track Representative: Sean Kerwin

The Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery Track offers Ph.D. training for graduate students with an interest in research at the chemistry-biology interface focused on the discovery and development of drugs and health-related technology. Students in this track will obtain a background in the physical, biochemical, biological, and pharmacological principles behind the development of pharmaceuticals. The faculty members of this track are researchers at the chemistrybiology interface who are most interested in therapeutic applications of molecular biology. The members as a whole have extensive experience in the synthesis of organic and biopolymer therapeutics, the development of high-throughput screens and assays, the application of three dimensional structure determination and modeling techniques to drug design, and the identification and evaluation of molecular targets and therapeutics, and the evaluation of the toxic action of drugs and drug candidates.

Course Requirements:

Two courses from the following (or as determined by the supervising professor):

• PHR 396M – Medicinal Chemistry
• PHR 490N – Cellular and Molecular Toxicology
• PHR 388C – Bioorganic Chemistry