Our research is aimed at elucidating the structure-function relationship of molecules involved in normal and disease processes with a more recent focus on angiogenic molecules(angiogenin and VEGF family members) and molecules involved in inflammatory processes (toxins), functions in the vascular system such as Angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) and glycosyltransferases. We have complemented our structural studies using X-ray crystallography in understanding protein-protein/carbohydrate interactions with high-throughput compound library screening, structure based design of inhibitors, computational and biophysical techniques as well as protein engineering, enzyme kinetics, cell and developmental biology approaches. To achieve this goal we have been ably supported by a number of very active collaborators (including clinicians and biologists) who are international experts. The long term objective of our research is directed towards the design of new pharmacological agents to treat human diseases.