Activity Detail
Seminar
Click, Carry, and Release: Building and Transporting Molecular Function
M.G. Finn
M. G. Finn is Professor at Georgia Tech since 2013, where he currently holds the James A. Carlos Family Chair for Pediatric Technology, and is chief scientific officer of the Children's healthcare of Atlanta Pediatric Technology Cente (https://chemistry.gatech.edu/people/mg-finn).
Finn's research concentrates on the development of methods for the synthesis of biologically-important molecules, such as functional virus-like particles. He coined the term Click chemistry with the recent Nobel Laureate Barry Sharpless (Angewandte Chemie International Edition. 2001, 40, 2004–2021.). His laboratory works with viruses as building-blocks for targeted development of biologically active molecules, as well as on the targeted synthesis of enzyme inhibitors and antivirals; on bio-conjugation and chemical materials science; on the immunology of carbohydrates; and with new methods of enzyme development.
In particular, his lab is mainly focused on the chemistry, biology, immunology, and evolution with viruses. The sizes and properties of virus particles put them at the interface between the worlds of chemistry and biology. They use techniques from both fields to tailor these particles for applications to cell targeting, diagnostics, vaccine development, catalysis, and materials self-assembly. This work involves combinations of small-molecule and polymer synthesis, bioconjugation, molecular biology, protein design, protein evolution, bioanalytical chemistry, enzymology, physiology, and immunology.