# Chemical and Structural Biology Program (CSB)

> **NIH NIH P30** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-IRVINE · 2020 · $21,216

## Abstract

Project 001 - Project Summary/Abstract - Chemical & Structural Biology (CSB) 
The Chemical and Structural Biology (CSB) Program of the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center 
(CFCCC) seeks to bring UC Irvine's considerable strengths in synthetic chemistry, structural biology, analytical 
chemistry and related areas to bear on anti-cancer research. These science areas tend to be pursued as 
single laboratory efforts. Thus, a major thrust of the CSB program is building collaborations and bridges 
between CSB researchers and cancer biologists and clinicians. In addition to the traditional methods of 
developing collaborations (e.g., topical retreats and symposia), the CSB leadership runs a very successful 
molecular matchmaking service, bringing together synthetic chemists, structural biologists and biologists with 
interesting small molecules. Notable successes of the matchmaking service include a new class of anti-nutrient 
transporter compounds with exciting anti-cancer activities in vitro and in animal models. 
Through its activities, the CFCCC directly contributes to the success of the anti-cancer research pursued by 
CSB members. For example, neuronal nitric oxide synthase emerged as a target for melanoma, and 
connections forged by the CFCCC led quickly to experiments with highly specific nNOS inhibitors. Similarly, 
success in the area of analytical chemistry connecting biological recognition with electronics led to connections 
with prostate and bladder cancer physicians to guide experiments leading to a clinical trial. The CFCCC also 
provides pilot project funding, which help initiate studies between a synthetic chemist and biologist leading to 
new types of anti-breast cancer compounds. The CSB leadership also helps to expand the research of its 
members into cancer-related areas; for example, researchers with a promising new experimental technique for 
mapping protein-protein interactions with proteomics MS were introduced to different potential collaborators 
opening new doors and avenues of research. Thus, the CSB program leverages existing efforts and strengths 
to amplify the quantity and quality of anti-cancer research taking place at UC Irvine. 
Membership: 22 Members from 8 Departments 
Funding: $459,979 NCI (Totals); $4,141,394 Other Peer-Reviewed (Totals) 
Publications: 158 Publications, 16% Inter-programmatic; 6% Intra-programmatic

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9851367
- **Project number:** 5P30CA062203-23
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-IRVINE
- **Principal Investigator:** THOMAS L POULOS
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $21,216
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → 2022-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9851367

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9851367, Chemical and Structural Biology Program (CSB) (5P30CA062203-23). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9851367. Licensed CC0.

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