Alison Narayan Lab

We harness the powerful reactivity and selectivity of chemistry that exists in nature — and develop new tools and approaches for creating biologically interesting and beneficial molecules.

Our Research

In the Narayan Lab, we leverage the powerful reactivity and selectivity of enzymes from natural product pathways in concise approaches to natural products and their analogs. Projects are initiated with the identification of an enzyme with synthetic potential unmatched by chemocatalytic methods and continue by demonstrating the substrate scope and potential applications of the biocatalyst including the synthesis of biologically active molecules. Synthetic efforts feed biological studies on activity, which inform the subsequent selection of synthetic targets.

Lab Values

We strive to foster and maintain a group that is diverse and a culture that is inclusive. We believe that to achieve a unified group, each individual must support one another by interacting with compassion and respect, listening, advocating for each other and contributing to each other’s growth through vibrant discourse, collaboration and constructive criticism.

Toward this goal, we are committed to continued education on structural forms of oppression and discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, age or experience, and we will not tolerate hate, discrimination or harassment in any form. We expect each group member to operate with professionalism, sensitivity and kindness.

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Alison Narayan, Ph.D.

Mary Sue Coleman Collegiate Professor in the Life Sciences
Research Associate Professor, U-M Life Sciences Institute
Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, U-M College of Literature, Science, and the Arts
Director, U-M Program in Chemical Biology
(she/her/hers)

Publication Highlights

Biocatalytic oxidative cross-coupling reactions for biaryl bond formation

Zetzsche LE, Yazarians JA, Chakrabarty S, Hinze ME, Murray LAM, Lukowski AL, Joyce LA, Narayan ARH, Nature (2022)

Structural basis for divergent C–H hydroxylation selectivity in two Rieske oxygenases

Lukowski AL, Liu J, Bridwell-Rabb J, Narayan ARH, Nature Communications (2020)

Chemistry of a Unique Polyketide-like Synthase

Chun SW, Hinze ME, Skiba MA, Narayan ARH, J Am Chem Soc (2018)

Room 4159
Life Sciences Institute
Mary Sue Coleman Hall
210 Washtenaw Avenue
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2216