The Cochran laboratory uses interdisciplinary approaches in chemistry, engineering, and biophysics to study complex biological systems. Our main goals are to develop new technologies for basic science and biomedical applications. Clinical applications of our research involves wound healing, cardiac tissue regeneration, ocular disease, and cancer imaging and therapy. Our research is driven by the philosophy that in order to control physiological processes it is necessary to understand the molecular mechanisms that drive these processes. We are interested in elucidating molecular details of receptor-mediated cell signaling events; at the same time developing protein and peptide-based tools that will allow us to manipulate cellular processes on a molecular level. For biomedical applications, we are combining rational design and combinatorial methods to create designer protein therapeutics and diagnostic agents.