WEBSITE(S)| The Ball Lab
SURF Mentoring
Potential projects/topics: Design and synthesis of peptides and/or peptidomimetic structures for interrogating and drugging biological pathways.
Potential skills gained: Organic synthesis, protein and peptide chemistry, biophysical analysis
Required qualifications or skills: I generally expect completion of Organic Chemistry II
Direct mentor: Post-doctorate
Research Areas
Zachary’s research interests center around the intersection of protein chemistry and transition-metal catalysis. Drawing from organic, biological, and inorganic chemistry concepts, the lab has developed a number of conceptually novel methods for specific protein modification with transition-metal catalysts and/or reagents. The lab is especially interested in fundamental concepts for performing selective chemical reactions in complex, polyfunctional environments. In the context of proteins as substrates for chemical reactions, this means moving away from residue-selective chemistries, to develop reactivity paradigms driven by secondary structure, local conformation, and/or unique local sequence. In the course of these efforts, the lab has made contributions in medicinal chemistry, bioimaging and protein analysis, and synthetic methodology development.
