Enzymatic synthesis of well defined polymers: In-vitro enzyme-catalyzed reactions provide opportunities for high levels of structural control. Therefore the   opportunities exist for the synthesis of novel polymers and for creation of new interesting structures using in-vitro enzyme-catalyzed reactions. A guiding principle of this research is to view enzymes as a diverse family of important catalyst systems that, thus far, has received insufficient attention for use in polymer synthesis and modification. We have been investigating enzyme-catalyzed ring-opening reactions to prepare important new and well-defined functional polymers and contribute new synthetic routes. Synthesis of interesting and diversified group of new multi-arm heteroblock copolymers is currently being pursued. These multi-arm heteroblock copolymers will be useful as interfacial agents in polymeric blends, to bind both hydrophilic and hydrophobic molecules and for applications in drug delivery systems.

Regio- and Stereo-controlled Synthesis/Modifications: Chemical and enzymatic methods are being developed for imparting unprecedented selectivity. Some of the structures shown below have been successfully synthesized/modified following this approach.

Design and Synthesis of potent Antitumor Agents: We have an strong interest in design and synthesis of novel anti cancer agents. A collaborative effort has been established with the Drug Discovery program of the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer and Research Institute at USF.  The compounds of interests include analogs of Nucleotides and Nucleosides , Unnatural amino acids, Oligosaccharides and Nitrogen Heterocycles.