Research Interests: Nature provides us with a tremendous variety of small molecules that possess fascinating structure and potent medicinal properties. Since 2003, our group has sought inspiration from nature to identify and develop medicinally-relevant small molecules. Inspired by amphiphilic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), we have spent over a decade exploring the development of novel disinfectant compounds to combat antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens.
Medicinal Chemistry Project: Bacteria are developing resistance at a rate faster than new antibiotics are coming to market. We are developing novel multicationic disinfectants based on nitrogen and phosphorus backbones (multiQACs and multiQPCs, respectively) to more efficiently disrupt cell membranes and lyse bacteria. Since 2014, we have collaborated on over 40 publications (list) and 4 patents with Dr. Bill Wuest at Emory University. We continue to learn what cationic amphiphilic structures are most effective at inhibiting bacterial growth, especially resistant bacteria and bacteria in the biofilm state.