Research at the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science revolves around discovery of novel diagnostics and therapeutics for major illnesses including cancer, HIV and other infectious diseases, heart and neurodegenerative diseases. Faculty research emphasis across analytical chemistry, biochemistry, synthetic chemistry biotechnology and bioinformatics provides the key strength for these efforts. Active collaborations are in place with departments such as Biological Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Physics, Computer Science & Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. In addition, our faculty are involved in collaborative projects and grants with scientists from Scripps Florida, Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies and Max Planck Florida Institute. The areas of research excellence in the department include:

Drug discovery research:

Dr. Carraher's laboratory is involved in exploring the anticancer and antiviral potential of metal containing polymers. Dr. Lepore's laboratory is focusing on the development of novel synthetic organic methods and their application to producing therapeutic compounds. Dr. Mari's research efforts include isolation and biochemical characterization of peptides and proteins and structure activity studies of novel compounds of marine origin for neurodegenerative diseases. Dr. Parkanyi's laboratory is applying physical, theoretical, and synthetic organic chemistry for the discovery of heterocyclic compounds for cancer therapeutics and compounds with antiviral activity. Dr. West is involved in discovering drugs from the sea for major diseases using high throughput screen.

Analytical chemistry research:

Dr. W. Louda is studying lipophilic pigments (chlorophylls and carotenoids) with applications as chemotaxonomic markers of algae in the greater Everglades restoration project and all aquatic environments. Dr. Snyder is using molecular spectroscopy to decipher electronic structure of molecules. Dr. Sui is involved in the development of microfluidics technology for cancer diagnostics and drug delivery approaches. Dr. Terentis's laboratory is applying confocal Raman microscopy to study small molecule binding to DNA/RNA and oxygenease enzyme catalysis with implications in cancer diagnostics and therapeutics.

These two major areas of research emphasis are supported by a state-of –the- art core capability including peptide synthesizers, peptide/protein sequencer, HR MALDI-tof mass spectrometers, CD, HPLC, FT-IR, NMR, mass spectroscopy, DNA sequencer, PCR and bioinformatics support. Our cell-based drug screening core provides an opportunity for various faculty to identify lead candidates for drug development and licensing opportunities.

Faculty inventions are covered by issued patents(see the details at: http://wise.fau.edu/research/ott/). Research and training of students across the Department is supported by an emphasis on chemical education research. Supported by funding from the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, American Chemical Society, American Cancer Society, American Heart Foundation, South Florida Water Management District and by Florida Center of Excellence grants, our faculty have brought in more than $10 Million to date. Our discoveries are leading to numerous issued patents and are creating licensing opportunities. Over fifty research publications have resulted from faculty research (please see individual faculty web pages for details).

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