Engineering peptides and proteins for therapeutic applications through the integration of chemistry, biology, and artificial intelligence.
About us
We design biomolecules for therapeutic applications, with a focus on peptide and protein binders that enable precise control of biological systems. Our work integrates chemistry, biology, and computational approaches to advance molecular design and discovery.
Our work spans computational design, experimental validation, and the development of next-generation biomolecules.
We develop computational and AI-driven approaches to design peptide binders that selectively interact with biological targets. This enables precise molecular recognition and expands the toolkit for studying and modulating biological systems.
We build and apply screening platforms to rapidly evaluate peptide libraries against diverse targets. These methods allow us to identify high-affinity binders and optimize their performance for therapeutic and research applications.
We design small, stable protein-like molecules from scratch with the ability to bind specific targets. These mini binders offer a compact and efficient alternative to larger biomolecules for diagnostics and therapeutics.
Our work explores the design of molecules that selectively bind to nucleic acids such as RNA and DNA. This opens new possibilities for targeting genetic material in disease contexts and regulating biological processes at the molecular level.
We aim to create entirely new enzymes with catalytic functions not found in nature. By combining computational modeling with experimental validation, we work toward expanding the boundaries of what enzymes can do in medicine and biotechnology.
Principal Investigator
Victor Adebomi, PhD, is an Assistant Professor at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, specializing in bioorganic chemistry and AI-driven biomolecular design. His research focuses on developing innovative approaches to peptide and protein engineering for applications in medicine and biotechnology.
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Selected publications highlighting key contributions in biomolecular design and chemical biology.
Adebomi, V.*; Cohen, R. D.*; Wills, R.; Chavers, H. A. H.; Martin, G. E.; Raj, M. CyClick Chemistry for the Synthesis of Cyclic Peptides. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2019, 58, 1907319080. *Equal contributions. Selected as Hot Paper for an upcoming issue of Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.; highlighted in ChemViews and SynPacts by Hisashi Yamamoto; F1000 prime Recommended.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/anie.201911900Rettie, S.*; Juergens, D.*; Adebomi, V.*; Lindenauer, K.; Gocke, G.; Palmer, J.; Baker, D.; Bhardwaj, G. Accurate de novo design of high-affinity protein-binding macrocycles using deep learning. Nat. Chem. Biol. 2025, 21, 1948–1956. *Equal contributions. Selected as the cover of Nat. Chem. Biol. (November 2025).
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40542165/Adebomi, V.; Sriram, M.; Streety, X.; Raj, M. Metal-free Selective Modification of Secondary Amides: Application in Late-Stage Diversification of Peptides. Org. Lett. 2021, 23, 6189-6193. Selected as the cover of Org. Lett. (August 2021).
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.orglett.1c01622Adebomi, V.*; Bruce, A.*; Czabala, P.; Palmer, J.; McFadden, W. M.; Lorson, Z. C.; Slack, R. L.; Bhardwaj, G.; Sarafianos, S. G.; Raj, M. A Tag-Free Cyclic Peptide Exploration Platform. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2024, 63, e202320045. *Equal contributions.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/anie.202320045
We welcome students and collaborators interested in advancing biomolecular design through interdisciplinary research.
