Areas of Research
Molecular Recognition in Biological Systems and Bioinformatics (MRBSB) is dedicated to understanding the fundamental biology and molecular nature of disease by using small molecules, molecular structures, and pharmacodynamic approaches to understanding the complex nature of biological systems. Interactions of macromolecules with each other, and with natural and designed small molecule ligands, and how small molecules interact with and regulate the interactions of proteins, DNA, RNA, and other cellular components to modulate biological processes are central to this understanding. This is the unifying principal of our group, which brings together several areas of excellence across the university and focuses on medically relevant research at the interface of chemistry and biology.
Because molecular interactions are driven by structural complementarity, knowledge of molecular structures enables design and synthesis of small molecules capable of modulating these processes, either in a directed or combinatorial way. Ultimately, some of these designed agents will lead to new therapeutic agents. Importantly, within this Strategic Strength we have the ability to answer questions in essentially any chosen biological system at the molecular, genetic, cellular, tissue, organ, integrative organ system and whole organism levels.
All four areas of strength are well established and include some of the strongest research programs at UB. The central objective of this Strategic Strength is to expand the research interactions between the four major areas so that major challenges in chemical and systems biology can be addressed, allowing the Strategic Strength to become much more than its individual components. Importantly, studies in the existing programs inform directly on the molecular mechanisms of human disease. For example, there is a clear linkage between programs in DNA replication and repair, and development and differentiation, and molecular mechanisms of tumorigenesis. Thus, the potential for development of this strength to impact favorably on translational research at UB is very high.
In addition to the aforementioned programs, there are additional strengths within UB including members of the Department of Biological Sciences, other departments within the School of Medicine and groups at RPCI and HWI who contribute to the overall MRBSB strength. These groups contribute expertise in bioengineering, protein-DNA interactions, gene expression, cell growth and development, response to infectious agents, bioinformatics, and other areas related to Molecular Recognition in Biological Systems and Bioinformatics to augment our overall strength.
