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Neal Devaraj is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). His research focuses on the design of chemoselective reactions to address challenges in bottom-up synthetic biology and molecular imaging. Devaraj's work includes the development of bioconjugation chemistries, which are essential tools in chemical biology. His interdisciplinary research aims to advance the understanding of chemical biology by pushing the boundaries of bioconjugation reactions into new and unexplored areas. Significant research interests include the synthesis of artificial membranes that mimic natural cells, as well as methods for detecting and labeling RNA. He seeks to improve the tools available for isolation and imaging of endogenous RNA and its associated protein partners, which could illuminate the functions and mechanisms of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs). Devaraj has a long-standing interest in advancing tetrazine bioorthogonal reactions, which offer rapid reaction kinetics and compatibility with fluorogenic probes for live cell imaging. His lab is dedicated to translating these chemical advances into applications for imaging and diagnostics.
Administered by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Curricular groups include Climate-Ocean-Atmosphere (COAP), Geosciences (GEO), and Ocean Biosciences (OBP).