Research

The department’s basic research not only identifies new drug targets for small molecule drugs, it also develops the tools and methods to discover such targets and therapies and to more rapidly determine their efficacy and safety at the molecular level, thus improving the efficiency of the drug discovery process and potentially leading to improved therapeutics.

Department research is categorized into four broad areas, with routine interplay and overlap among them.  Visit our curated list of publications.

Research areas

  • Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry

    Chemical biologists create tools to probe biological systems, including protein interaction pathways. Their work provides insights that help medicinal chemists design small-molecule drugs to alter these pathways for potential therapeutic benefit.

  • Computational Chemistry and Biology

    Researchers in this area use computer programs to model, predict, visualize, and analyze the structures, functions, and interactions of biologically important molecules. These include proteins and potential small molecule drugs and the cellular networks they engage.

  • Physical Biology

    Department physical biologists develop and apply techniques to identify, quantify, and visualize biologically relevant molecules.

  • Protein and Cellular Engineering

    Protein engineers alter, design, and synthesize proteins to understand and generate new functions, monitor biological processes, and provide new therapies. Cellular engineers generate tissues with specific cell types to study signaling in health and disease.

Research services and facilities

The technologies within each of these core facilities are advanced and improved by department faculty members and used by faculty members at UCSF and beyond to conduct their research.

Research programs and collaborations

Consultation Services

Our expert faculty are also available to provide their specialized research expertise and consultation services. Visit our consultation page.