Christopher Cairo, PhD

Area of Study / Keywords

glycobiology medicinal chemistry carbohydrate chemistry bioconjugate chemistry

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About

BSc, State University of New York - Albany (1996)

PhD, University of Wisconsin - Madison (2002)

NIH PDF, Harvard Medical School (2006)

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Research

Research In the Lab

Cell surface receptors mediate the transfer of information between cells and their environment. As a result, receptors play vital roles in all aspects of cell biology including development, immune response, homeostasis, and pharmacology. Although many receptor systems have been intensely studied, fundamental questions about their molecular function remain unanswered. Research in our group uses chemical biology to improve our mechanistic understanding of membrane biology and develop new tools for therapeutic strategies. Specific areas of research include:

Membrane Glycobiology

Glycolipids and glycoproteins are a critical components of the plasma membrane. In addition to biosynthetic pathways, glycan content is regulated by glycosyl hydrolases. Our group has been investigating the role of the membrane-associated neuraminidases (NEU; also called sialidases). 

Using recombinant forms of NEU enzymes we have developed structure-activity relationships for inhibitors and substrates of human NEU isoenzymes (NEU1, NEU2, NEU3, NEU4). Using this approach, we have developed specific inhibitors with excellent selectivity for individual enzymes. Work is currently focused on improving these compounds for therapeutic applications.

Current projects are investigating the role of NEU enzymes in cell migration, cell adhesion, and inflammation. 

Bioconjugate strategies

Synthetic strategies for controlled modification of biomolecules in vitro or in cells is a rapidly evolving area of chemical biology. Our group is interested in the development and application of new labeling strategies that provide access to modified lipids, glycolipids, proteins, and glycoproteins. We have previously used metabolic labeling as well as chemical and chemoenzymatic synthesis for these systems.

Current projects in the group are applying chemoenzymatic and bioconjugate strategies to unusual glycoproteins.

Phosphatase inhibitors

Phosphatase enzymes are the biochemical antithesis of kinases – removing phosphate groups from proteins and other biomolecules. While kinases have become a common target for drug development, phosphatases have seen limited applications in medicinal chemistry. Our group previously developed a modular strategy for designing protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitors using solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS). We have also applied similar chemical strategies to glycosyl phosphatase substrates important for diabetes.

Current projects in the group are testing the utility of alpha-bromobenzyl phosphonates in the structural biology of PTPase enzymes.

CHEM 299 - Research Opportunity Program in Chemistry

A credit/no-credit course for supervised participation in a faculty research project. Normally taken after completion of a minimum of 30 units but not more than 60 units in a program in the Faculty of Science. Prerequisite: GPA of 2.5 or higher, CHEM 101 or 161; and consent of Department. Specific projects may require additional prerequisites. Project and course information available on Department of Chemistry website. Prospective enrollees in CHEM 299 must apply to Department of Chemistry. Application does not guarantee an ROP position. Credit for this course may be obtained twice.

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CHEM 399 - Research Experience in Chemistry

A credit/no-credit course for participation in a research project under the direction of a member of the Department. Students taking CHEM 401 or 403 cannot concurrently take CHEM 399. Credit for this course may be obtained up to four times. Prerequisites: Departmental permission. 9 units of 200-level chemistry or 3 units of 300-level chemistry.

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CHEM 454 - Bioconjugate Chemistry

Discussion of organic reactions to modify or label biopolymers including proteins, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids. Topics will include mechanistic and methodological details of commonly employed reactions used for chemoselective labeling or modification of biomolecules to produce synthetic vaccines, antibody-drug conjugates, and native chemical ligation will be discussed. Prerequisites: CHEM 351 or BIOCH 200; CHEM 361. Note: This course may not be taken for credit if credit has already been received in CHEM 464.

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CHEM 554 - Bioconjugate Chemistry

Graduate-level discussion of organic reactions to modify or label biopolymers including proteins, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids. Topics will include mechanistic and methodological details of commonly employed reactions used for chemoselective labeling or modification of biomolecules to produce synthetic bioconjugates. Applications including synthetic vaccines, antibody-drug conjugates, and native chemical ligation will be discussed. Prerequisite: 1 year of introductory organic chemistry and 1 term of biochemistry, or consent of instructor. Not open to students with credit in CHEM 464 or 564.

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Browse more courses taught by Christopher Cairo

Nahoko Yagami, Fatma Eljabu, Manas Jana, Elisa G. Carvajal, Christopher W. Cairo

Carbohydrate Research. 2025 December; 10.1016/j.carres.2025.109691

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Princey Raju, Chunhua Dong, Craig R. Garen, Michael T. Woodside, Christopher W. Cairo

Bioconjugate Chemistry. 2025 July; 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.5c00138

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Mostafa Radwan, Elisa G. Carvajal, Christopher W. Cairo

ChemMedChem. 2025 July; 10.1002/cmdc.202500099

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Carmanah D. Hunter, Christopher W. Cairo

ChemBioChem. 2024 December; 10.1002/cbic.202400402

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Mostafa Radwan, Tianlin Guo, Elisa G. Carvajal, Benjamin A. R. Bekkema, Christopher W. Cairo

Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. 2024 August; 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02186

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Gour Chand Daskhan, Hanh-Thuc Ton Tran, Christopher W. Cairo

Carbohydrate Research. 2024 January; 10.1016/j.carres.2023.108988

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Md. Amran Howlader, Ekaterina P. Demina, Suzanne Samarani, Tianlin Guo, Antoine Caillon, Ali Ahmad, Alexey V. Pshezhetsky, Christopher W. Cairo

The FASEB Journal. 2022 May; 10.1096/fj.202101218R

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Journal of the American Heart Association. 2021 February; 10.1161/jaha.120.018756

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Tianlin Guo, Rachel Héon-Roberts, Chunxia Zou, Ruixiang Zheng, Alexey V. Pshezhetsky, Christopher W. Cairo

Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. 2018 December; 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01411

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Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. 2018 March; 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b01574

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Christopher W. Cairo

Med. Chem. Commun.. 2014 January; 10.1039/c4md00089g

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View additional publications

• Research group website