Chemistry of Life research in the Rice University Department of Chemistry probes the molecular mechanisms that underlie biological structure and function. Our faculty combine organic synthesis, chemical biology, and biophysical chemistry with theory and computation to illuminate how biomolecules are built, how they fold and interact, and how they can be reprogrammed for new purposes. Investigators develop novel synthetic methodologies, chemical probes, and biophysical tools to interrogate proteins, nucleic acids, and cellular pathways, while computational and theoretical approaches reveal the underlying principles that govern molecular recognition and biomolecular dynamics. Our researchers advance the fundamental understanding of life at the molecular level, providing the insight necessary to translate these insights into new therapeutics and biotechnologies. The Chemistry of Life is frequently driven through close collaboration across experiment and theory, and with colleagues in biosciences, bioengineering, and medicine.