Instagram story viewer> @uchicagochemistry> Posts

UChiChemistry

@uchicagochemistry

404

followers

302

following

Official Account of the University of Chicago Department of Chemistry. Find Our Latest News: https://linktr.ee/uchicagochem

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Congratulations to Professor Stuart Rowan who has been named as interim dean of the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering at the University of Chicago!

A leading researcher in polymeric materials and a member of the UChicago faculty since 2016, Rowan steps into the role at a pivotal moment for UChicago PME.

"What has always distinguished UChicago PME is its willingness to bring together people, ideas, and disciplines in pursuit of impactful solutions to some of humankind’s most pressing challenges. I look forward to working alongside my outstanding colleagues to build on that foundation and support the school's continued success and growth,” said Rowan.

He succeeds Nadya Mason, who was recently appointed Vice President for Research for the University of Chicago.

🔗 Read more: http://ms.spr.ly/6047vIdXc by @uchicagochemistry

10

0

3 months ago

How did early life manage to repair its genetic material before modern proteins evolved? A new study in Nature Communications co-authored by Jack W. Szostak and his colleagues uncovers a unique category of RNA molecules that act as molecular builders requiring a specific chemical signpost—a 3'-terminal phosphate—to stitch RNA together.

This unexpected capability mirrors how modern proteins handle RNA repair, offering fresh clues into early evolutionary chemistry. Beyond these theoretical insights, the team demonstrated that these ribozymes can be adapted as practical lab tools to selectively capture and analyze fragmented RNA, opening new avenues for genomic research.

Read the open-access study to explore the details by clicking the linktree in our bio!

#RNAWorld #Biochemistry #MolecularBiology #Genomics #Research by @uchicagochemistry

24

0

3 months ago

We are thrilled to share the Viresh Rawal group’s full account of their total synthesis of (+)-hinckdentine A, featured as the June issue cover story in the @amerchemsociety Journal of Organic Chemistry.

This work traces the evolution of a synthetic strategy centered on an indole-based Claisen (Meerwein–Eschenmoser) rearrangement, enabling an efficient construction of the crucial C2 quaternary center of the indoline core. Their pursuit of an “ideal” synthesis led to a remarkably concise 5-operation route.

The cover art, titled ‘A quick but arduous journey to the summit: Hinckdentine A,’ beautifully visualizes this synthesis as a mountain expedition. According to the editors, "Like climbing a mountain, total synthesis demands navigating unforeseen obstacles, circumventing treacherous paths, and balancing methodical approaches against daring explorations of uncharted terrain."

This article was selected as an Editors’ Choice paper and is available for download here:

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.joc.5c02924

#TotalSynthesis #OrganicChemistry #JOC #ChemistryResearch #ScienceCommunication #ACS #UChicagoChemistry by @uchicagochemistry

25

0

3 months ago

The Guangbin Dong Lab is redefining synthetic efficiency. In their latest publication in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, graduate student Zining Zhang unveils a powerful strategy for late-stage carbonyl removal via sequential double carbon–carbon bond cleavage. Previously, late-stage removal of these groups was notoriously difficult; this method solves that bottleneck, drastically streamlining the assembly of complex molecular architectures.

Read the full research here:
https://shorturl.at/coYoN

#Chemistry #OrganicSynthesis #SyntheticChemistry #JACS #ChemicalResearch #ScienceInnovation #UChiChem by @uchicagochemistry

30

0

3 months ago

“This expands the boundaries of the field beyond what were previously fundamental constraints, and lays the foundation for the use of nitrides as nanomaterials,” said Prof. Dmitri Talapin.

As described in new research published in Nature, the Talapin Lab and @argonne National Laboratory have achieved a significant breakthrough by developing a method to synthesize nanocrystals from metal nitrides—a task previously thought to be impossible. This advancement is set to broaden the utility of these durable materials (such as gallium nitride, a staple in modern lighting) to include cutting-edge applications like flexible electronics, printed circuits, and medical implants.

See the linktree in our bio for more! by @uchicagochemistry

13

0

3 months ago

Huge congratulations to Prof. Jiwoong Park on being named the James Franck Professor in the Department of Chemistry, the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, and the College. This prestigious honor recognizes his groundbreaking work engineering atomically thin 2D materials—including his lab's remarkable creation of the smallest known way to guide light. Following three stellar years of leadership as Chair of the Department of Chemistry, Park is one of three exceptional PSD faculty members receiving named professorships this July, perfectly capping off an era of profound impact as both a scientific pioneer and an institutional leader.

#UChicagoChemistry #PritzkerMolecularEngineering #Nanotechnology #QuantumScience by @uchicagochemistry

33

1

4 months ago

Researchers in the Bozhi Tian Lab have engineered a wireless, bioinspired "artificial leaf" that harvests light to power next-generation biomedical devices. Published in Nature Photonics, the study by lead author Pengju Li and co-first authors Mengzhan Liufu, Cooper R. Johnston, Young-Woo Pyo, Yuze Zheng and Guangqing Yang introduces a breakthrough nanoplasmonic material—composed of microscopic gold and titanium dioxide structures—that efficiently converts light into high-performance electrical energy. The team successfully used this wireless bioelectronic platform in animal models to pace heartbeats and stimulate sciatic nerves via external light activation, offering a powerful new avenue for target-specific medical therapies like nerve pain management. Beyond biostimulation, the material can even serve as a secure human-computer interface, allowing users to input information via invisible light that is instantly decoded by AI.

Click on the linktree in our bio to read the full story.

(Image courtesy of Tian Lab)

#Bioelectronics #BiomedicalEngineering #MaterialsScience #TechInnovation #Neurostimulation #NaturePhotonics #BozhiTian #Tianlab #UChiChemistry by @uchicagochemistry

11

0

4 months ago

The emergence of translation was a pivotal event in the early evolution of life, yet the mechanistic steps linking the RNA World to modern translation remain poorly understood. In this seminar, Dr. Radakovic will describe his research investigating both the primordial role of RNA aminoacylation and the subsequent evolution of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs), the enzymes responsible for establishing the genetic code.

The discussion will cover findings regarding how aminoacylated RNAs enhance chemical reactivity to facilitate ribozyme assembly, as well as insights into how modern aaRS specificity evolved. Additionally, Dr. Radakovic will discuss ongoing efforts to extend evolutionary inference deeper into the past through structure-based phylogenetic approaches.

"The Origin and Evolution of RNA Aminoacylation" | Wednesday, June 17, 2026 | 2:15 PM | Kent 120

For more details, visit https://shorturl.at/QReNb by @uchicagochemistry

19

0

4 months ago

Custom protein binders are crucial for treating disease, but discovering them usually takes months.

Recently published in PNAS, new research from the Bryan Dickinson lab has introduced an innovative new platform that completely rewrites that timeline.

Spearheaded by researchers Joshua A. Pixley and Matthew Styles, the PANCS-spec-Binders platform screens billions of synthetic variants to isolate high-fidelity custom binders in just days. By eliminating a notorious biochemical bottleneck and removing the need for secondary screenings, their work opens the door for rapid, highly targeted therapeutic discovery.

Read the full story behind this significant breakthrough and the culture of innovation driving it home: https://shorturl.at/ss9Ba

#Biotech #ProteinEngineering #DrugDiscovery #UChicago #Chemistry #PNAS #ChemicalBiology by @uchicagochemistry

25

0

4 months ago

The 2026 Chicago Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Symposium brings together researchers for 1.5 days of intensive scientific exchange focused on the latest developments in drug discovery and molecular biology. The event features a comprehensive program of expert lectures, interactive poster sessions, and professional networking opportunities. With keynote speakers Dr. Jim Wells and Dr. Benjamin Cravatt, the event will include presentations from UChicago Chemistry faculty members Yamuna Krishnan and Jie Zhou. Attendees must register by tomorrow, May 20, to secure their spot and access the full schedule of sessions. Register today via Eventbrite. https://shorturl.at/ElwXD by @uchicagochemistry

9

0

5 months ago

The Andrew Ferguson Lab at the University of Chicago, in collaboration with the Allen P. Liu Lab at the University of Michigan, has shown a new advancement in bio-design that borrows a survival trick from the tardigrade. By combining the Liu Lab’s experimental synthetic biology with advanced computational simulations—provided by UChicago graduate student and co-author Jianming Mao—the team revealed how unique proteins form a gel-like "molecular shield" to protect synthetic cells from extreme dehydration. This cross-institutional discovery offers a transformative roadmap for bio-preservation, potentially enabling the global distribution of life-saving vaccines without the need for refrigeration.

Follow the linktree in our bio to be taken to the study.

#UChiChemistry #FergusonLab
#NatureCommunications
#Biopreservation #MolecularEngineering #Tardigrade
#Biotech by @uchicagochemistry

15

0

5 months ago

Precision is the heart of nanotechnology. Nowhere is that more evident than in the work of University of Chicago President and renowned chemist Paul Alivisatos, whose latest study in ACS Nano provides a definitive look at the mechanics of photochemical propulsion.

Joining with a team of researchers from UC Berkeley, the group explored the dynamics of Janus micromotors—asymmetric particles that convert light into directed motion. By moving beyond bulk observations to a single-particle framework, the team has quantified the exact force behind the "swim," capturing measurements in the 4.5–6.2 pN range.

The Result: A new blueprint for bridging the gap between chemical energy and mechanical work.

See the link in our bio to read more.

#UChiChemistry #UChicago #UCBerkeley #AlivisatosLab #Nanoscience #ResearchInnovation #Janusmicromotors #nano by @uchicagochemistry

17

0

5 months ago