Chemical Biology

artist visualization of Target-Induced and Equipment-Free DNA Amplification

Chemical Biology is the application of chemistry to solve biological problems:

Chemical Biology at McMaster applies chemical techniques and tools to study and manipulate of biological systems.  This includes studying interactions between small molecules and macromolecules (proteins and nucleic acids), and molecules of all sizes (polymers) with biological systems, including cells and whole organisms. Much of this work involves preparing, characterizing and delivering compounds (from small molecules all the way to antibodies) that might be used as drugs or diagnostics. We synthesize new complexing agents to deliver transition metals to specific organs in the body for use in radio-imaging such as MRI, PET scans, and other medical applications. We also develop analytical techniques for metabolomics research, and biosensors to rapidly diagnose infections. 

Areas of specialty include:

  • In vivo delivery
  • Drug and metabolite detection
  • Bioimaging
  • Biosensors

Our researchers:

Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology | McMaster University has 17 registered members
Paul Berti
Professor, Associate Chair (Undergraduate Studies)
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Research Interests:

Transition-state analysis, enzyme inhibition

John Brennan
Professor, Canada Research Chair in Point-of-Care Diagnostics
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Research Interests:

Point-of-care diagnostics, functional nucleic acids

Philip Britz-McKibbin
Professor
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Research Interests:
Bioanalytical chemistry
Katherine Bujold
Assistant Professor
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Research Interests:
DNA Nanotechnology
Fred Capretta
Associate Professor
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Research Interests:

Organic Synthesis and Medicinal Chemistry

Paul Harrison
Associate Professor
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Research Interests:

Natural Products

Adam Hitchcock
Professor Emeritus
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Research Interests:

Materials analysis by synchrotron based soft X-ray microscopy, instrumentation, fuel cells, in situ methods, electrochemistry, magnetotactic bacteria, 4D imaging

Yingfu Li
Professor, Departments of Biochemistry & Biomedical Sciences and Chemistry & Chemical Biology
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Nathan Magarvey
Associate Professor, Departments of Biochemistry & Biomedical Sciences and Chemistry & Chemical Biology
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Jakob Magolan
Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry & Biomedical Sciences
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Research Interests:
Research Interests: Medicinal chemistry and synthetic methodology development
James McNulty
Professor
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Research Interests:

Organic Synthesis; Medicinal Chemistry

Giuseppe Melacini
Professor and Acting Chair
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Research Interests:

Molecular pharmacology; protein dynamics

Joseph Okeme
Assistant Professor
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Research Interests:
Environmental factors in human/ecosystem health
Anthony Rullo
Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine
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Research Interests:

Synthetic molecules to manipulate immunological protein assembly; avidity-based molecular recognition cell targeting approaches; protein and carbohydrate covalent affinity labelling strategies

Saman Sadeghi
Associate Professor
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Research Interests:
Molecular imaging, radiolabeling, radiotherapeutics
John Valliant
Professor
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Research Interests:

Medicinal inorganic/radiopharmaceutical chemistry

Ryan Wylie
Associate Professor, Acting Director of Chemical Biology (Graduate Studies)
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Research Interests:
Drug delivery, immunotherapeutics
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McMaster University - Faculty of Science | Chemistry & Chemical Biology