Robert D. Gray, PhD

Synthetic chemistry and drug design
Current synthetic projects in our laboratory include the preparation of alkaloids, C-nucleosides and nucleoside homologs, angiogenesis inhibitors and active (prodrug) metabolites. More complex syntheses under study involve target molecules such as aminoglycoside antibiotic analogs and nucleoside antibiotics. These studies are part of larger programs which will serve to elucidate the mechanism of action or stereochemical influence of pharmacologically active compounds. The development of new methods and strategies which are applicable to multistep syntheses encompass our interests in areas such as enzymatic transformations, asymmetric oxidation, ultrasound-promoted reactions, chiral auxiliary design, carbohydrate chemistry and protecting group development. In collaboration with researchers at the National Cancer Institute, we are investigating the antiangiogenic properties of thalidomide and related small molecules and its mode of activation as a prodrug in mammalian systems.