Executive Brief
The Laboratory for Synthetic Chemistry and Chemical Biology (LSCCB) is a premier interdisciplinary research hub focused on drug discovery and development. Led by Professor Chi-Ming Che, the lab integrates inorganic chemistry, catalysis, and chemical biology to create novel therapeutic leads and diagnostic tools. Their work often involves complex molecular synthesis, catalysis, and the study of bio-molecular interactions.
Strategic Fit & Lead Score
Lead Score: 68 (Adjacent Tech & High-Value R&D)
Why this Score? While LSCCB is a biology/chemistry-centric lab, their reliance on advanced catalysis and electrochemical synthesis creates a massive opening for Boron-Doped Diamond (BDD) technology. BDD provides the widest electrochemical potential window of any known material, allowing LSCCB to perform high-potential oxidations for drug-lead synthesis that are impossible with standard electrodes (Pt, Glassy Carbon). Furthermore, 6C's Single Crystal Diamond (SCD) enables next-generation quantum sensing for monitoring chemical reactions at the molecular level.
6C Solutions Proposal
| Application Area | 6C Solution | Technical Value Prop |
|---|---|---|
| Electro-Organic Synthesis | BDD Electrodes (Plates & Pellets) | Enables "impossible" oxidative synthetic pathways for drug discovery due to high overpotential for oxygen evolution; eliminates electrode fouling. |
| Advanced Bio-Sensing | BDD Micro-electrode Arrays | Ultra-low capacitive background noise and high biocompatibility for real-time monitoring of neurotransmitters or drug-protein binding. |
| Reaction Monitoring | Quantum-Grade SCD (NV Centers) | Allows for nanoscale ESR (Electron Spin Resonance) and temperature sensing within chemical reactors to observe radical intermediates in real-time. |
| Catalyst Development | Diamond-Supported Catalysts | Use 6C's MPCVD to coat complex substrates with diamond to create chemically inert, high-surface-area supports for aggressive catalytic environments. |
| In-house Fabrication | Custom 6C MPCVD Reactor | Empower LSCCB to develop proprietary diamond-based sensors and functionalized surfaces in-house, accelerating the 5-year program goals. |
Engagement Hooks
- Technical Question: "Professor Che, is your team currently limited by the narrow electrochemical window of traditional electrodes like Platinum or Graphite when attempting high-potential oxidative cyclizations or late-stage drug functionalization?"
- Value Statement: "6C can provide LSCCB with Boron-Doped Diamond electrodes and MPCVD systems to unlock synthetic pathways and sensing resolutions that are physically unattainable with standard carbon or metal-based materials."
Technical Synergies with LSCCB Research
- Chemical Stability: Diamond is chemically inert to almost all reagents used in drug synthesis (HF, concentrated H2SO4, etc.).
- Surface Functionalization: 6C can provide diamond surfaces with specific oxygen or hydrogen terminations, allowing LSCCB to covalently bond biological probes or catalysts directly to the diamond lattice.
- Optical Transparency: For labs utilizing photo-catalysis, our PCD wafers provide optical transparency from UV to Far-IR, allowing for simultaneous electrochemical and spectroscopic analysis (SEC).
6C Material Specs for LSCCB
- BDD Doping Levels: Adjustable from 1019 to >1021 boron atoms/cm3 for metal-like conductivity.
- SCD Purity: Electronic grade with nitrogen impurities < 5 ppb for quantum sensing applications.
- Surface Finish: Ra < 1nm for SCD, ensuring consistent bio-interface interactions.