Course Identification

Topic 1: Molecules that covalently bind proteins

(a) Drugs: targeted covalent inhibitors (TCIs)

(b) In-vitro protein labeling (Analytical Proteomics):

      (i) Activity-based protein profiling (ABPP)

      (ii) Photo-affinity labeling (a unique class of ABPP)

(c)  Live-cell protein labeling

Topic 2: Expanding the genetic code with unnatural amino acids

1.  Spectroscopic probes
2.  Selective reactive groups
3.  Photo-reactive groups (photo-crosslinkers and photo-caged amino acids)
4.  PTMs

Topic 3: Fluorescence imaging microscopy

1.  Wide-field fluorescence imaging
2.  Confocal fluorescence imaging microscopy
3.  Two-photon excitation microscopy
4.  Super resolution microscopy: (i) STED ,(ii) SIM, and (iii) STORM/PALM
5.  Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM)

Topic 4: Targeting bacteria (fighting bacterial infections using biomimetics)

1.  Quorum sensing inhibitors
2.  Siderophore mimics
3.  Glycomimetic-based vaccines

Topic 5: Chemical immunology

1.  Immune profiling (flow cytometry and mass cytometry)
2.  Unconventional immune system modulators

         (i) Synthetic systems that recruit immune cells (ARMs, cpAbs, etc.)

        (ii) Antigen surrogates

Topic 6: Developing drugs that recruit the ubiquitin-proteosome pathway

1.  PROTACS
2.  Hydrophobic tagging etc.

Topic 7: Cell surface engineering

1.  Unnatural amino acids
2.  Enzyme?mediated engineering (sortase, butelase, biotin ligase, FGE)
3.  Metabolic engineering (unnatural carbohydrates, D-amino acids)
4.  Hydrophobic insertion

Upon successful completion of this course students should be able to:

Gain a deeper understanding in how to use Chemical Biology tools to investigate biological processes, to identify therapeutic targets, and to develop new drugs.