Synthetic Chemical Biology Core

PROJECT SUMMARY – CORE C The Synthetic Chemical Biology Core (SCB) was established in July 2016 from the merger of the Center for Molecular Analysis of Disease Pathways (CMADP) Molecular Probes Core with the newly established Chemical Biology of Infectious Disease (CBID) Medicinal Chemistry Core. The synthetic capabilities of the SCB will fulfill the specific aims of both COBRE centers. The mission for the SCB in Phase 3 is to provide CMADP-affiliated junior faculty, as well as other investigators in the state of Kansas, with novel molecular probes as pharmacological tools for in vitro or in vivo elucidation of particular pathways. The SCB will also work towards achieving self-sustainability beyond Phase 3. The Core will offer expert design and synthesis of small molecule and peptide molecular probes, with an emphasis on the generation of fluorescent and other affinity tagged molecules. The SCB will function synergistically with other CMADP-funded Core facilities, including the Genome Sequencing Core, to identify genes that impact functions of probes in vivo, and the KU Nanofabrication Facility, to develop devices for imaging and chemical analysis. This integration is designed to empower faculty to use chemical biology approaches to investigate biological problems. The specific aims that will be addressed by the SCB in Phase 3 are: (1) Provide enabling small molecules of interest to COBRE investigators and other clients; (2) Provide synthesis of conventional and specialized peptides to investigators; (3) Provide outreach, administrative, and fiscal support necessary to manage the above activities both in the context of COBRE projects and to offer services to the larger Kansas research community (4) To continue developing a critical mass of core lab users so that the facility becomes a self-sustaining, integral part of the biomedical research infrastructure in the state of Kansas.