Our current interests are focused on developing
reagents for in vitro studies that are complementary to gene knockout
experiments and that will allow temporal control of inhibition
or activation. We are investigating and will continue to investigate
the questions below.
1. We hypothesize that the effects of norbornyl peptide polymers
containing the ADAM binding motifs are due to interactions with
specific cell-surface molecules. We are investigating the cell-surface
molecules(S) responsible for the polymers' inhibition properties
and whether they have parthenogenic properties. In addition, we
are testing whether these different properties are dependent on
polymer composition. We are examining length and density dependence
for homopolymers, as well as synthesizing copolymers of different
lengths and densities.
2. We hypothesize that definition of the spatial orientation of
the ECD and QCD pharmacophores will generate peptide mimetic inhibitors
with higher affinity and specificity than we have at present.
We are collaborating with Prof. William Lubell at l’Université
de Montréal to prepare bicyclic frameworks that will conformationally
constrain the tripeptide sequence to a range of defined conformations.
