简介

We have three main research program areas in our group. The first one is on the total syntheses of novel cytotoxic marine marcrolactones. We are currently focused on the syntheses of 14-membered ring callipeltosides and aurisides. A second theme is to develop chemical strategies for the syntheses of complex Stemona alkaloids. These molecules possess challenging structures and potent biological activity. The third area of research is the application of biotransformations to problems in synthetic organic chemistry. Research efforts include the preparation of chiral synthons by enzymatic desymmetrization of meso-compounds to single enantiomers and microbial hydroxylation of heteroatoms and unactivated carbons. These chiral synthons are then employed in the total enantioselective syntheses of natural products with great biological importance: marine glycosylated and halogenated macrolides and complex alkaloids of great biological significance.