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ChEM-H celebrates the launch of the Nucleus

The collaborative labs within the Nucleus, led by scientific experts, enable transformative science at Stanford.

The road from molecules to medicines, from uncovering previously unknown pathways that underlie our biology to translating that knowledge into real-world solutions, is complex.  No single lab is equipped to address each hurdle on the path. The Nucleus at Sarafan ChEM-H is designed to help Stanford scientists navigate this journey.

The Nucleus is a cluster of labs that bring scientific expertise, tools, and flexibility to Stanford. Led by a unique cadre of scientific directors, the groups at the Nucleus provide technical expertise, industry perspective, cutting-edge instruments and training to Stanford labs. Nucleus leaders and staff collaborate with Stanford faculty, researchers, and students to help them identify a productive research path, train them in the relevant tools and techniques, and advance the research beyond what would have otherwise been possible.

(L-R) Jennifer Cochran, Beth Ponder, Carolyn Bertozzi, and Justin Annes cutting the ribbon at the Nucleus launch event (Credit: Paul Sakuma).

On the morning of October 29, 2024, leaders, collaborators, and friends joined Carolyn Bertozzi, Baker Family of Sarafan ChEM-H, to celebrate the new name, the incredible team of scientists under this umbrella, and the exceptional science these dedicated staff enable.

Carolyn Bertozzi opened the event with a description of the Nucleus and a celebration of what its name represents: the centrality of these groups in the scientific community at Stanford, the dual focus on chemistry and biology, and the life and energy that originates from this core. She also celebrated just a few of the transformative scientific projects enabled by these scientists: discovering a viral cause for multiple sclerosis, developing next-generation cancer immunotherapies, and even unearthing the molecular origins for color variation in parakeet feathers.

Carolyn Bertozzi (Credit: Paul Sakuma)
A group of faculty, students, staff, and friends gathered to listen to Carolyn Bertozzi speak at the Nucleus launch event (Credit: Paul Sakuma).

The Nucleus includes what were formerly known as the Knowledge Centers at Sarafan ChEM-H, which included scientific groups focused on the following five areas: medicinal chemistry, metabolomics, macromolecular structure, high-throughput screening, and protein engineering. In addition to those areas, it now includes other scientific areas that have grown naturally as Sarafan ChEM-H has evolved to meet the changing scientific landscape of Stanford: cell and gene therapies, pharmacology, and clinical research. Over the last decade, the Nucleus has contributed to over 50 publications with 100 faculty members across 27 Stanford departments, and helped secure over $100,000,000 in grants.

Collaborators and leaders who have fostered the growth of and benefited from the Nucleus shared Bertozzi's gratitude for the contributions made by the scientists who lead these groups. Jennifer Cochran, Senior Associate Vice Provost for Research and the Addie and Al Macovski Professor and Professor of Bioengineering, spoke about the unique value added by the scientists who lead groups within the Nucleus. Cochran has partnered with Adrian Hugenmatter, the Director of Protein Engineering at the Nucleus, to co-lead protein therapeutics development at the Stanford Innovative Medicines Accelerator (IMA).

Justin Annes, associate professor of endocrinology, has been collaborating with Mark Smith, Director of Medicinal Chemistry at the Nucleus, since he started his research group. The pair have combined their expertise in clinical science and drug design to develop new treatment strategies for both diabetes and neuroendocrine tumors.

Chemical structure of a Taxol derivative drawn on a white board in front of the Nucleus lab space (Credit: Paul Sakuma).
Jennifer Cochran (Credit: Paul Sakuma)
Justin Annes (Credit: Paul Sakuma)

Following the remarks, Bertozzi, Cochran, and Annes were joined by Beth Ponder, the Executive Director of Sarafan ChEM-H and of the IMA. The group cut the ceremonial ribbon across the door to the Nucleus lab suite in the Stanford ChEM-H Building, which is one of several Nucleus labs across Stanford's campus.

A ribbon across the door of the Nucleus lab suite (Credit: Paul Sakuma).

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