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Faculty
K.C. Nicolaou
Darlene Shiley Professor of Chemistry
Chairman
Department of Chemistry
TSRI - 1989
Joint Appointments The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology
Education
B.Sc. Bedford College, London, 1969; Ph.D. University College, London, 1972; D.Sc., University College, London, 1994; Research Associate, Columbia University, 1972-73; Research Associate, Harvard University, 1973-76; Rhodes-Thompson Professor Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, 1976-89
Awards & Activities
ACS Award for Creative Work in Synthetic Organic Chemistry, 1993; Fellow, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1993; ACS Nichols Medal, 1996; ACS Ernest Guenther Award in the Chemistry of Natural Products, 1996; ACS, Linus Pauling Award, 1996; Member of the National Academy of Sciences, USA, 1996; ACS Esselen Award for Chemistry in the Public Interest, 1998, Honorary Doctorate, University of Thessaloniki, 1996; Honorary Doctorate, University of Cyprus, 1997; Honorary Doctorate, Universidad de Alcala, Madrid, 1998; Honorary Doctorate, University of Crete, 1998; Decoration of the Order of the Commander of Honor Medal, Greece, 1998; Yamada Prize, Japan, 1999; Aspirin Prize for Solidarity through Chemistry, 1999; Professor of Chemistry, University of California, San Diego, 1989-present. Honorary Doctorate, Agricultural University of Athens, 2000; Max Tishler Prize, 2000; Paul Karrer Gold Medal, 2000; Royal Society of Chemistry Centenary Medal, 2001-2002; Ernst Schering Prize, 2001; Nagoya Medal of Organic Chemistry, 2001; Kitasato Institute Medal, The Kitasato Institute, Minato-ku, Japan, 2001; Greek American Scientists, Engineers, and High Tech Entrepeneurs Award, 2001; Foreign Member, Academy of Athens, Greece, 2001; Tetrahedron Prize for Creativity in Organic Chemistry, 2002; Honorary Doctorate, University of Patras, Greece, 2002; ACS Nobel Laureate Signature Award for Graduate Education in Chemistry, 2003; Honorary Doctorate, University of Rome "La Sapienza", Italy, 2003; Aristeio Bodossaki Prize, Bodossaki Foundation, Greece, 2004; Honorary Fellowship, Chemical Research Society of India, 2004; A.C. Cope Award, 2004; ACS (Auburn Section) Auburn G.M. Kosolapoff Award, 2006; Burkardt-Helferich Prize, Germany, 2006; Honorary Fellowship, Indian Academy of Sciences, 2007.
Research Focus
Chemical Synthesis And Chemical Biology
Research in our group focuses on the chemical synthesis and chemical biology of natural and designed compounds. Programs are directed at the invention of new synthetic reactions and the development of novel synthetic strategies for the synthesis of complex molecules. Additional aspects of the work include investigations of the biological properties of the synthesized molecules and of the mechanism of action of biologically active compounds, as well as drug design and development.
Specific examples of our projects include the total synthesis of anticancer agents TaxolTM, epothilones A and B, maduropeptin chromophore artifact, marine neurotoxins such as brevetoxins A and B, and azaspiracids-1,-2 and -3, antibiotics effective against drug resistant bacteria such as vancomycin, thiostrepton, abyssomycin and platensymicin, and cholesterol-lowering agents such as CP-225,917 and CP-263,114.
Overall, our research programs are based on chemical synthesis and chemical biology and are directed at making contributions in chemistry, biology and medicine at the fundamental as well as applied levels. In addition to advancing our knowledge in the life sciences, these programs provide strong training for academic careers and pharmaceutical research.
Selected References
Nicolaou, K.C. Perspectives in Total Synthesis: A Personal Account, Tetrahedron 59:6683, 2003.
Nicolaou, K.C. Joys of Molecules. 1. Campaigns in Total Synthesis, J. Org. Chem. 70:7007, 2005.
Nicolaou, K.C. Joys of Molecules. 2. Endeavors in Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, J. Med. Chem. 48:5613, 2005.
Nicolaou, K.C., Edmonds, D.J., Bulger, P.G. Cascade Reactions in Total Synthesis, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 45:7134, 2006.
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