Dr. Hamann’s research group is actively involved in the isolation, structure assignment using NMR and synthesis of marine natural products with activity against cancer, malaria, tuberculosis and neurological disorders.  Metabolites are isolated from a variety of sources including marine invertebrates, algae, bacteria and dinoflagellates.  In addition to drug leads Dr. Hamann’s group is involved in the characterization of molecules associated with harmful algal blooms and the role of symbiosis on the production of invertebrate secondary metabolites. 

NMR structure assignments are made utilizing two dimensional methods to assign gross, relative and absolute configuration.  Molecular modeling is utilized extensively to assist with and validate NMR assignments and a combination of chemical and spectroscopic methods are utilized to solve relative and absolute configuration.

A combination of synthesis and biosynthesis are utilized together to assemble and optimize complex, biologically active marine natural products.  Some of the classes of marine natural products characterized can be generated effectively utilizing total synthesis however for many classes a combination of biosynthesis and chemical synthesis are essential to generate a product cost-effectively.