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)