By Jasmyn Booker

Originally from Hawaii, Bradley Moore from the Scripps Institute at the University of California San Diego shared how being curious about ocean life as a child led him to the world of pharmaceutical sciences. Moore spoke at the School of Pharmacy on September 20 as the Hutchinson Lecture, hosted by PSD Professor Tim Bugni.

“Professor Moore’s work is at the cutting edge of harnessing genomics to understand natural products chemistry and to solve long standing problems in ocean chemical ecology,” said Bugni. “Additionally, the biomedical relevance of his research makes him a great choice for a seminar in the School of Pharmacy. His work in genomics was influenced by C. Richard Hutchinson, which made him an outstanding choice for the C. Richard Hutchinson lecture.”

In Moore’s lecture, “Connecting Genes to Chemistry to Empower Natural Product Drug Discovery and Biocatalysis,” he discussed the serendipitous nature of his research and the discoveries he has made while studying gene clusters.

“We have the ability to unlock the mysteries of the world through genome sequencing,” said Moore. “Opportunities for new chemistry are always right in front of us.”

In recent years, his genome mining efforts have taken advantage of the powerful biosynthetic machinery in marine eukaryotes, such as diatoms and seaweeds, resulting in novel chemistry with significant human health implications. His research combines genomics, synthesis, mechanistic enzymology, protein crystallography, biocatalysis, and microbiology to discover and engineer microbial natural products, primarily as drug leads and environmental toxins.

Moore is currently a professor at the University of California San Diego where he holds joint appointments at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

The C. Richard Hutchinson Lecture is intended to celebrate and recognize careers dedicated to contemporary research and major advances in natural product discovery and development. Learn more about the Hutchinson Lecture Series here.