Synthetic chemistry, molecular biology, and combinatorial chemistry techniques are used to investigate the ribonucleoprotein telomerase, which plays a pivotal role in tumorgenesis.

Michael Jarstfer was initially trained as an organic chemist with Professor Michael Doyle at Trinity University. His graduate work with Professor C. Dale Poulter involved bioorganic chemistry of cholesterol biosynthesis focusing on the enzyme squalene synthase. His postdoctoral work at CU Boulder with Professor Tom Cech concentrated on understanding the mechanism of telomerase.

The Jarstfer lab is interested in problems regarding enzyme function, drug-discovery, and biotechnology. Current projects include the mechanism of telomerase and novel methods of telomerase inhibition. We are also investigating nucleic acid structure-function relationships within the telomerase complex and with telomeric DNA.