The Philmus lab’s research centers on bioactive natural products (aka secondary metabolites) from bacteria with a focus on cyanobacteria (photosynthetic bacteria). We develop synthetic biology protocols, bioinformatics programs, and analytical chemistry methodologies to identify, isolate and study these compounds with the potential to serve as drug leads to combat cancer and microbial infections.
Taifo Mahmud’s research interests focus on natural product-based drug discovery and development. His group employs a multidisciplinary approach that utilizes cutting-edge technologies to produce novel pharmaceuticals. Some recent accomplishments of his group include discovering new families of enzymes and developing antimalarials, anti-cancers, and sunscreens through genetic engineering or synthetic biology.
