NATURAL PRODUCTS DISCOVERY
Using long-term ecological studies, genomics and metabolomics tools, we prospect at hotspots of intra- and inter- specific natural products variation that are drivers of ecological interactions. This approach leads to the discovery of cryptic molecules with ecological function from non-model organisms with poorly annotated genomes. Through the development of these approaches we have uncovered new molecules
CHEMICAL SYNTHESIS OF TARGET COMPOUNDS
Unique molecular structures isolated from our ecologically driven studies inspire our studies of reactions that are central to maintaining chemical diversity within plants. We use chemical synthesis as a tool to explore ecological function of these natural products and probe novel biosynthetic hypotheses.
MEASURING AND STUDYING PHYTOCHEMICAL DIVERSITY
Phytochemical diversity is a key "bottom up" driver of biodiversity and maintains a central role in shaping ecological interactions. The Jeffrey group utilizes analytical tools to develop methods to measure phytochemical diversity in ecological studies and guide the discovery of ecologically relevant natural products.