Research

Our research focuses on the development of mechanism-driven therapeutics to overcome bacterial drug resistance, with particular emphasis on MRSA, A. baumannii, and drug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae. A central goal of the laboratory is to design novel resistance-targeting inhibitors that restore the clinical effectiveness of existing antibiotics through rational therapeutic approaches. We integrate computational and structure-based drug design, molecular modeling, biochemical and cellular assays, and targeted chemical synthesis to identify and optimize small-molecule inhibitors against clinically relevant resistance mechanisms. By coupling in silico screening with experimental validation, our work aims to deliver translational, patentable therapeutic candidates that address urgent antimicrobial resistance challenges.

Antibiotic resistance is a growing global health challenge, particularly among ESKAPE pathogens such as Acinetobacter baumannii, which have compromised the effectiveness of β-lactam antibiotics. With limited new antibiotics available, restoring the activity of existing drugs through rational combination therapy has become a critical strategy. Our laboratory focuses on identifying and characterizing β-lactamase–mediated resistance patterns using an integrated approach that combines structure-based computational modeling, proteomics, and AI-driven resistance analysis. By linking drug structure and physicochemical properties to resistance mechanisms, we aim to guide the design of effective β-lactamase inhibitors and durable therapeutic combinations against multidrug-resistant bacteria.

Research in our laboratory focuses on computational structural biology and drug design targeting abnormal protein aggregation in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related neurodegenerative disorders. Our overarching goal is to identify previously unexplored therapeutic targets, develop mechanism-based treatment strategies, and design novel small-molecule leads capable of modifying disease progression rather than merely alleviating symptoms. Leveraging extensive expertise in computer-aided drug design (CADD), medicinal chemistry, and cell-based neurobiology, our research integrates structural modeling, molecular simulation, and experimental validation to understand how misfolded proteins disrupt neuronal signaling and brain function. A central emphasis of our work is to elucidate how modulation of neuronal surface receptors and protein–protein interactions can prevent or slow pathological aggregation, including tau-associated mechanisms in AD.

SHIN Lab is affiliated with the College of Pharmacy at FDU.

Postal Address: 230 Park Ave, Florham Park, NJ 07932, USA