Research Overview


The research in the Zhu Group lies at the interface of chemistry and biology in the study of the mechanisms of anticancer drugs, especially DNA-damaging agents, and the development of innovative anticancer agents. The future research will focus on DNA damage response and repair pathways, transcription inhibition, and development of novel platinum-based anticancer agents by using interdisciplinary approaches and methods in the areas of medicinal chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, and chemical biology.


Research Interests

DNA damage and repair; anticancer drug mechanism and development; chemical biology


Current Projects
  • Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel platinum-based anticancer agents
  • Development of cell-based assays to study DNA damage repair
  • Recognition and repair of DNA interstrand cross-links (ICLs) in mammalian cells


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