Chemical Biology Program Research
We combine chemical biology, structural and mechanistic insights, proteomics, protein engineering, and design to tackle tough problems at the forefront of cancer research.
Our Mission
To use the power of chemical biology and mechanistic understanding of biological processes to transform the way we study and target disease, especially cancer
Featured Studies
Small-molecule allosteric activator of ubiquitin-specific protease 7 (USP7)
Researcher: Sara Buhrlage, PhD | Buhrlage Lab
Inactivating mutations in ubiquitin-specific protease 7 (USP7) have been associated with Hao-Fountain syndrome (HAFOUS), an ultra-rare neurodevelopmental disorder. The Buhrlage lab describes development of small molecule allosteric activator of USP7 called MS-8. MS-8 binds to the allosteric site that is critical for USP7 autoactivation, and mimics the mechanism of autoactivation, thus activating the mutant USP7.
Allosteric inhibition of JAK2 with lysine-reactive compounds that bind the pseudokinase domain
Researcher: Michael Eck, M.D., PhD
JAK2 is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase that controls signal transduction from cytokine receptors and plays key roles in erythropoiesis and thrombopoiesis; therefore, use of JAK2 inhibitors often causes anemia and thrombocytopenia. Eck and his colleagues now design covalent inhibitors that take advantage of unique features of mutant JAK2 to inhibit the mutant while sparing the wild type.
PREPRINT: Synthetic signaling platform uncovers and rewires cellular responses to PD-1 perturbation
Researcher: Xin Zhou, PhD
Tyrosine phosphorylation occurs within specific motifs on substrate proteins, resulting in propagation of cellular signaling. With more than 40,000 tyrosine phosphorylation sites in human proteome, these biochemical events are prevalent, yet difficult to study and detect. The Zhou lab has developed a solution to this problem - Selective PHosphotYrosine DEtection and Rewiring (Sphyder) platform and tool set. Sphyder can be used to detect signaling events, resolve phosphorylation dynamics and uncover regulatory mechanisms.
Explore More of Our Research Interests
Paving the Way with Chemical Biology
Take a look inside the growing Chemical Biology Program at Dana-Farber, where chemists and biologists work side by side to find answers to some of the most challenging problems in targeted cancer therapies.
Drug Discovery: Loren Walensky, MD, PhD
Loren Walensky, MD, PhD, of Dana-Farber's Department of Pediatric Oncology and the Chemical Biology Program, speaks about the collaborative drug discovery happening in the Longwood Center at Dana-Farber.
Medicinal Chemist Making New Drugs
Sara Buhrlage, PhD, of Dana-Farber's Department of Cancer Biology and the Chemical Biology Program, explains the collaborative process of creating first-in-class drugs at Dana-Farber.
Targeted Protein Degradation
Listen to Eric Fischer, Ph.D. explain targeted protein degradation, its history, and its promising future.
Research Spotlight
Tumor suppressor protein p53 (TP53) is the most mutated gene in human cancer, making cancer cells resistant to chemotherapy. In the new study, the Gibson lab developed a new gain-of-function, small molecule-based strategy to selectively kill cancer cells with high levels of mutant TP53 while sparing the wild-type cells. This represents an entirely new way for inducing cell death of cancer cells that harbor mutant TP53.
