The Durrant lab develops and applies computer-aided drug-design techniques to identify biologically active small molecules (drug leads and chemical probes).

We use computational techniques to design small-molecule ligands that interfere with protein functions. By altering the activity of protein targets, we aim to find new ways to treat disease and to learn more about basic microbiology. Computer-aided drug design (CADD) accelerates ligand identification by predicting protein binding in a computer. Using these predictions, scientists can test fewer molecules before finding one that is effective. We also develop improved ligand-identification methods that draw on computer docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and big-data/machine-learning.

Education

Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences (Focus: Computational Biology), Biomedical Sciences Program, University of California, San Diego.

M.S., Physiology and Developmental Biology, Department of Physiology and Developmental Biology, Brigham Young University.

B.S., Mathematics (Summa Cum Laude), Brigham Young University.

B.A., Portuguese Language and Literature (Summa Cum Laude), Brigham Young University.

University of Pittsburgh
Department of Biological Sciences

103C Clapp Hall
4249 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15260

E-mail: durrantj@pitt.edu

Website: Link