In its broadest term, chemical biology involves the use of small molecules to investigate and control living systems. This definition begs quite a few questions. Where do you get these molecules? What are the targets of these agents? How do you know that you are having an effect on the biological system being probed? Which specific targets are giving rise to the responses observed? The answers to these questions necessitate a multi-disciplinary approach that incorporates everything from synthetic and analytical chemistry to structural and molecular biology. 

Our main goal is to provide students with interdisciplinary training that is at the interface of chemistry, biochemistry and biology, with a primary emphasis on understanding how the chemical biology approach can be used to solve complex biological problems such as the mechanisms of disease, the regulation of biological pathways and the roles of different biomolecules in controlling cellular function (or dysfunction).

The interdisciplinary nature of the Chemical Biology graduate program at McMaster is reflected by the diversity of our affiliated faculty members.  These highly engaged 40 principal investigators come from seven different departments (Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Biology, Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Medicine, Chemical Engineering, Physics and Astronomy) across three faculties (Sciences, Engineering and Health Sciences) at McMaster. These investigators are leaders in diverse Chemical Biology fields and they engage in several collaborations within McMaster as well as other research institutions worldwide.  

Read the full letter from Dr. Melacini, Director of the Chemical Biology graduate program