
Jeff Perry Lab
Research Lab Overview
Dr. Perry was recruited to City of Hope in August 2021. His research interests include defining molecular mechanisms of key protein complexes that have pathological links to cancer and/or diabetes. The Perry Lab uses macromolecular crystallography and biophysical and biochemical analyses to analyze signal transduction pathways, DNA repair and genome stability components.
Additionally, the Perry Lab is conducting early-stage drug discovery approaches, such as fragment-based drug discovery, on targets within these pathways. Identified small molecule inhibitors can be used as chemical tools for clearer definitions of the target protein’s cellular functions and potentially for opening novel therapeutic avenues and the development of drug-like leads. Dr. Perry’s work is currently supported by a DoD BCRP Level 2 award as an MPI with Dr. Robert Hickey and Dr. Linda Malkas at City of Hope, an NIH R01 as Co-PI with Dr. Mobley at the University of California, Irvine, an NCI R01 as Co-I with Dr. Pellecchia at University of California, Riverside, and an IDDV grant award as Co-PI with Dr. Rama Natarajan at City of Hope.
Methods used in the Perry Lab include protein crystallography, rational-based drug discovery, structure-based drug discovery, fragment-based lead discovery, covalent inhibitors, chemical tools, signal transduction, genome stability, small-angle x-ray scattering and collaborative artificial intelligence-driven drug discovery studies.
Highlights
As part of ongoing structural biology efforts, the Perry Lab uses a synergistic combination of approaches, including protein crystallography, in-solution small-angle x-ray scattering, covalent inhibitors, fragment-based drug discovery and AI-CADD studies. These methods are applied to a number of research areas with support from DoD, NIH and internal City of Hope award mechanisms. These methods include:
- Conducting structure-based drug discovery approaches against a cancer-associated form of a DNA repair protein, aiming to identify and develop drug-like lead compounds.
- Targeting exonucleases and helicases with therapeutic potential through collaborative studies using artificial intelligence-based, computer-aided drug discovery studies in addition to fragment-based drug discovery methods.
- Studying and targeting a novel protein with therapeutic potential for the treatment of type 1 diabetes.
- Using protein crystallography analyses as part of ongoing efforts to define peptide-based inhibitors that signal transduction proteins and apoptotic/anti-apoptotic proteins.
Career Opportunities
The Perry Lab is looking for enthusiastic, self-motivated individuals who thrive in a fast-paced, challenging startup research environment and who can interact well with others as part of a cohesive team. If you have a desire to make a significant impact in health care and have the fortitude to work hard, please consider the following opportunities:
- Postdoctoral research fellow opening
- Research associate opening (in process)
Dr. Perry is the structural biologist and biochemist in the Department of Molecular Diagnostics and Experimental Therapeutics at City of Hope.



Jennifer Jossart is a Ph.D. Candidate at the University of California, Riverside. She obtained her undergraduate degree in biochemistry from California State University, San Bernardino. As part of her internship at the City of Hope Medical center, Jossart is working in Dr. Perry’s research group to utilize structure-based drug design techniques with a focus on fragment-based drug discovery methods to contribute to the development of novel anti-cancer therapeutics.
Currently, Dr. Perry and Jossart are collaborating with Dr. Malkas and Dr. Hickey’s research groups at City of Hope to develop anti-breast cancer therapies under the DOD Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP).
Jossaer is working on her thesis and is determined to graduate from UCR in Spring 2022. In addition to her research, she enjoys exploring new hiking spots and creating art in various mediums.


Matthew A.M. Tippin is a Ph.D. student in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BCMB) program at University of California, Riverside. He is conducting his Ph.D. research at City of Hope under the guidance of Dr. Perry.
He graduated with a B.S. degree from the University of California, Irvine. Prior to starting his graduate studies, Tippin began his pre-graduate research on the pharmacology of prostate cancer chemotherapeutics in the laboratory of Dr. Xiaolin Zi in the Department of Urology at UCI.
Tippin’s goal is to work on cancer therapeutics upon completion of his Ph.D.


Jenna Xu is a Ph.D. student in the Cellular, Molecular and Developmental Biology Department at the University of California, Riverside. She is performing her Ph.D. research at City of Hope, under the guidance of Dr. Perry. Xu graduated from California State University, Los Angeles with a M.S. degree in Biological Science.
Her research interests focus on using early-stage structure-based drug discovery approaches--which includes macromolecular crystallography and biochemistry studies--to target cancer-related proteins.
In addition to her research, Xu likes to cook and bake.


Fadhil Jamil is a new research associate who is working under the guidance of Dr. Jeff Perry on a drug discovery project against a novel therapeutic target for diabetes.
During his undergraduate studies at the California State University, Northridge, Jamil found his passion for research while investigating various protein interactions in a Cell and Molecular lab. He received his M.S. degree in Biomedical Sciences from the California University of Science and Medicine, where he worked on multiple public health projects with his previous Principal Investigator.
Jamil's goal is to pursue a Ph.D. degree. In addition to his research, Jamil enjoys cycling.
Li, C.M., Haratipour, P., Lingeman, R.G., Perry, J.J.P., Gu, L., Hickey, R.J., & Malkas L.H.
Liu, Y., Zhang, F., Jiang, L., Perry, J.J.P., Zhao, Z., & Liao, J.
Liu, Y., Shen, Y., Song, Y., Xu, L., Perry, J.J.P.*, & Liao, J.*
Gambini, L., Udompholkul, P., Baggio, C., Muralidharan, A., Kenjić, N., Assar, Z., Perry, J.J.P., & Pellecchia, M.
Dennis, T.N., Kenjić, N., Kang, A.S., Lowenson, J.D., Kirkwood, J.S., Clarke, S.G., & Perry, J.J.P.