UF Drug Discovery

Instituted in 2013, the Center for Natural Products, Drug Discovery and Development (CNPD3) is housed in the Department of Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Florida College of Pharmacy and is strategically complemented by affiliated faculty from the different colleges and departments across the university.

D3 PLATFORM

D3 Platform

The chemical focus of the CNPD3 is on unique natural products, and the goal is to fully exploit the biosynthetic and therapeutic potential of untapped biodiversity for drug discovery. Candidate compounds are investigated for further development through interactive chemistry and pharmacology efforts. The center embraces all aspects of natural products research from discovery, biosynthesis and chemical synthesis, assay development, screening and target identification to drug development.

Platform Update July

CNPD3 FOCUS AND RESEARCH

CNPD3 FOCUS AND RESEARCH

Microbial Genomics & Synthetic Biology

CNPD3 FOCUS AND RESEARCH

Molecular Diversity and Screening

CNPD3 FOCUS AND RESEARCH

Molecular Pharmacology

CNPD3 FOCUS AND RESEARCH

AI-based and Structure-based Drug Design & Optimization

CNPD3 FOCUS AND RESEARCH

Synthetic Chemistry

CNPD3 Focus and Research

PROTAC & Targeted Therapeutics

CNPD3 FOCUS AND RESEARCH

Botanical Translational Science

CNPD3 FOCUS AND RESEARCH

Animal Models of Disease

A New Wave of MEDICINE

Dr. Hendrik Luesch

Answering the Call

In an ocean of possibilities, Dr. Hendrik Luesch is answering the call to make the next great drug discovery. His work takes him below the surface of the sea, where new medicines harbor hope for a healthier tomorrow.

Luesch Landing Page Play Video

CNPD3 Seminar series

CNPD3 Seminar Series | Dr. Severin T. Schneebeli

Tuesday, March 31, from 10 – 11 a.m. in C1-15 Dr. Schneebeli’s presentation title is “Integrating Single-molecule Sequencing and Computational Modeling to Accelerate Peptide Drug Discovery.”

CNPD3 Seminar Series | Dr. Danette Daniels

Wednesday, March 4, from 10 – 11 a.m. in C1-15 Dr. Daniel’s presentation title is “Towards new cancer medicines with degraders of chromatin regulatory proteins.”

CNPD3 Seminar Series | Dr. Aarron Willingham

Wednesday, February 4, from 10 – 11 a.m. in C1-15 Dr. Willingham’s presentation title is “Adventures in Biologics Drug Development.”

CNPD3 Seminar Series | Dr. Elizabeth Mormino

Monday, January 26, from 10 – 11 a.m. in C1-11 Dr. Mormino’s presentation title is “Heterogenous pathways underlying cognitive variability in human aging.”

DEPARTMENT NEWS

UF College of Pharmacy hosts 39th Annual Research Showcase

Students, trainees, faculty and staff from the University of Florida College of Pharmacy filled the Reitz Union on Feb. 9 for the 39th Annual Research Showcase.

Dr. Ranjala Ratnayake honored with Superior Accomplishment Award

Dr. Ratnayake was recognized for her leadership in the renovation of a new $10 million, 14,500-square-foot laboratory designed to advance UF’s integrated drug discovery initiatives.

Dr. Chenglong Li appointed chair of the Department of Medicinal Chemistry

Li steps into a leadership role of a top-ranked medicinal chemistry department that has grown substantially over the past decade.

Trilateral global research partnership in marine natural products may trigger new wave of drug discovery

The UF CNPD3 will collaborate with Singapore to tap Indonesia’s rich marine biodiversity.