Our research is directed towards two main areas, both involving organic synthesis. One interest is in molecules that act at biological receptors or enzyme active sites, and we are currently exploring two problems: chemical modifications of melatonin as a means of mapping the melatonin receptor in the avian brain and frog epithelial tissue, and non-peptide models for beta-turns in biologically active peptides. The other interest is in the preparation of new types of molecules with novel properties, and we are examining both small ring compounds as molecular devices and structurally define poly cations as molecular receptors.