Welcome
We are the University of Oklahoma Natural Products Discovery Group – Dedicated to the Exploration of Nature as a Source of New Medicines
The Natural Products Discovery Group (directed by Robert H. Cichewicz, Ph.D.) is part of the interactive life-sciences research community on the University of Oklahoma campus. Our mission is to find ways that the unique organic molecules produced by Nature (e.g., plants, microbes, and marine organisms, etc.) can be used to generate new pharmaceutical agents capable of improving the quality of life for all people. As part of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, we utilize a wide variety of chemical and biological methods for finding new natural products with applications to the fields of medicine and biotechnology. We are especially interested in developing:
- New antimicrobials for the treatment of antibiotic-resistant infectious diseases
- Therapeutic leads for Huntington’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders
- New methods such as chemical epigenetics for enhancing the natural products drug discovery process
Natural products hold the key to combating a broad range of human diseases. We hope that you can take a few moments to see how our research is being applied to the creation of new tools and techniques for combating these and other ailments. You can also check out our research opportunities and community outreach programs if you are interested in learning more about taking part in the discovery process.
 |
 |
 |
| RESEARCH | FAQs | PARTICIPATE |
News & Events
August 2011: Interested in conducting postdoctoral studies with the Natural Products Discovery Group? Click here.
May 2011: Congratulations to Dr. Trevor Ellis; he is joining the faculty at Southwestern Oklahoma State University as an assistant professor. We wish you the best of luck in your new position.
May 2011: Congratulations to our recent graduates: Jon Henrikson (Ph.D.), Cara Dal Nogare (B.S.), and Hannah Bolinger (B.S.).
April 2011: The Stephenson Life Science Research Center, home of the Natural Products Discovery Group, had its official opening ceremony on Wednesday, April 13, 2011 at 10:30 AM. President Boren presided and our own Christine Theodore was selected to act as the graduate student representative. She provided a brief speech about the impact of the new building on research and graduate student training at OU.