Overview
Research in the Franz group is involved in elucidating the structural and functional consequences of metal ion coordination in biological systems. We are particularly interested in understanding the coordination chemistry utilized by biology to manage essential yet toxic species like copper and iron. Understanding these principles further guides our development of new chemical tools to manipulate biological metal ion location, speciation, and reactivity for potential therapeutic benefit. We use a combination of synthesis, spectroscopy, and biochemistry in our work. Please visit our group website to learn more about our research.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
James B. Duke Distinguished Professor of Chemistry
·
2025 - Present
Chemistry,
Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Professor of Chemistry
·
2015 - Present
Chemistry,
Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute
·
2003 - Present
Duke Cancer Institute,
Institutes and Centers
Recent Publications
Leveraging Vulnerabilities in Copper Trafficking for Synergistic Antifungal Activity.
Journal Article ACS chemical biology · November 2025 Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that causes millions of infections per year, for which more efficacious treatments are needed. Observations that azole antifungals incite C. albicans to adjust a variety of metal-dependent ... Full text CiteCopper Activates a Redox Switch to Reversibly Inhibit Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase.
Journal Article Biochemistry · November 2025 Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), one of the most conserved proteins across all kingdoms of life, has a multitude of moonlighting functions beyond its enzymatic role in glycolysis. Metal binding to GAPDH has previously been reported to inhi ... Full text CiteAn Engineered Prodrug Selectively Suppresses β-Lactam-Resistant Bacteria in a Mixed Microbial Setting.
Journal Article ACS Infect Dis · July 11, 2025 The rise of β-lactam resistance necessitates new strategies to combat bacterial infections. We purposefully engineered the β-lactam prodrug AcephPT to exploit β-lactamase activity to selectively suppress resistant bacteria producing extended-spectrum-β-lac ... Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
Pharmacological Sciences Training Program
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPreceptor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2025 - 2030Tri-Institutional Molecular Mycology and Pathogenesis Training Program
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2029Investigation of the role of CuZnSod1 in sensing Cu-deficient conditions in Candida albicans
FellowshipPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institute of General Medical Sciences · 2024 - 2027View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
Massachusetts Institute of Technology ·
2000
Ph.D.
Wellesley College ·
1995
B.A.