Picture of Jon Clardy

Jon Clardy, Ph.D.

Christopher T. Walsh Professor of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology

The laboratory focuses on biologically active small molecules, especially those from bacteria and fungi with an overall goal of understanding how small molecules control biological processes. 

Research:

The laboratory focuses on biologically active small molecules, especially those from bacteria and fungi with an overall goal of understanding how small molecules control biological processes.  Organizing themes include: 1) function-based discovery of microbially-produced small molecules and their roles in microbial symbioses , 2) function-based discovery of biologically active small molecules using high-throughput screening,  3) genome-based discovery of bacterially-produced small molecules. 

1.  We have focused on the small molecule exchanges that underlie multilateral symbioses involving bacteria, partly because they are widespread and poorly understood and partly because they lead to the discovery of new useful molecules in the biological context in which they evolved.  Current projects involve the bacterial symbionts of fungus-growing ants, members of the human gut microbiome linked to disease, and interactions between micro-algae and bacteria.

2.  We also continue to discover small molecules in a more medically relevant context: high-throughput screening for a variety of diseases.  In these projects we have focused on antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic agents along with immunomodulators and anticancer agents. 

3.  It is now quite clear that well studied bacteria – the producers of drugs that are used on the ton scale, for example – are genetically capable of producing many more potentially useful small molecules.  The biosynthetic gene can be seen but the associated molecules have never been characterized.  Ways to access these cryptic metabolites is a current focus of the laboratory.

Address: 

Room C-643

240 Longwood Avenue

Boston, MA 02115

Publications View
X-ray crystallography: One size fits most.
Authors: Authors: Stallforth P, Clardy J.
Nature
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1,2,3,4,6-Penta-O-galloyl-ß-D-glucopyranose inhibits angiogenesis via inhibition of capillary morphogenesis gene 2.
Authors: Authors: Cryan LM, Bazinet L, Habeshian KA, Cao S, Clardy J, Christensen KA, Rogers MS.
J Med Chem
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Synthesis and activity of biomimetic biofilm disruptors.
Authors: Authors: Böttcher T, Kolodkin-Gal I, Kolter R, Losick R, Clardy J.
J Am Chem Soc
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Ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptide natural products: overview and recommendations for a universal nomenclature.
Authors: Authors: Arnison PG, Bibb MJ, Bierbaum G, Bowers AA, Bugni TS, Bulaj G, Camarero JA, Campopiano DJ, Challis GL, Clardy J, Cotter PD, Craik DJ, Dawson M, Dittmann E, Donadio S, Dorrestein PC, Entian KD, Fischbach MA, Garavelli JS, Göransson U, Gruber CW, Haft DH, Hemscheidt TK, Hertweck C, Hill C, Horswill AR, Jaspars M, Kelly WL, Klinman JP, Kuipers OP, Link AJ, Liu W, Marahiel MA, Mitchell DA, Moll GN, Moore BS, Müller R, Nair SK, Nes IF, Norris GE, Olivera BM, Onaka H, Patchett ML, Piel J, Reaney MJ, Rebuffat S, Ross RP, Sahl HG, Schmidt EW, Selsted ME, Severinov K, Shen B, Sivonen K, Smith L, Stein T, Süssmuth RD, Tagg JR, Tang GL, Truman AW, Vederas JC, Walsh CT, Walton JD, Wenzel SC, Willey JM, van der Donk WA.
Nat Prod Rep
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A sexually conditioned switch of chemosensory behavior in C. elegans.
Authors: Authors: Sakai N, Iwata R, Yokoi S, Butcher RA, Clardy J, Tomioka M, Iino Y.
PLoS One
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Identification of anziaic acid, a lichen depside from Hypotrachyna sp., as a new topoisomerase poison inhibitor.
Authors: Authors: Cheng B, Cao S, Vasquez V, Annamalai T, Tamayo-Castillo G, Clardy J, Tse-Dinh YC.
PLoS One
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Bactobolin resistance is conferred by mutations in the L2 ribosomal protein.
Authors: Authors: Chandler JR, Truong TT, Silva PM, Seyedsayamdost MR, Carr G, Radey M, Jacobs MA, Sims EH, Clardy J, Greenberg EP.
MBio
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Discovery of a novel pharmacological and structural class of gamma secretase modulators derived from the extract of Actaea racemosa.
Authors: Authors: Findeis MA, Schroeder F, McKee TD, Yager D, Fraering PC, Creaser SP, Austin WF, Clardy J, Wang R, Selkoe D, Eckman CB.
ACS Chem Neurosci
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Interspecies modulation of bacterial development through iron competition and siderophore piracy.
Authors: Authors: Traxler MF, Seyedsayamdost MR, Clardy J, Kolter R.
Mol Microbiol
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Antibiotic and antimalarial quinones from fungus-growing ant-associated Pseudonocardia sp.
Authors: Authors: Carr G, Derbyshire ER, Caldera E, Currie CR, Clardy J.
J Nat Prod
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