Anthony Fehr

Anthony Fehr is an Associate Professor in the Department of Molecular Biosciences at the University of Kansas and an investigator at the Higuchi Biosciences Center. His research focuses on coronavirus macrodomains, which counter host immune responses by removing ADP-ribose modifications from proteins, making them a critical target for antiviral therapies. He leads the development of macrodomain inhibitors through collaborations with KU’s Infectious Disease Assay Development Core and Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Development of Macrodomain Inhibitors for Coronavirus and Alphavirus Treatment. His lab’s work, supported by NIH COBRE grants, aims to decode the molecular mechanisms of macrodomain function and its role in viral replication and pathogenesis.

Key research initiatives include defining PARP enzyme roles in antiviral responses, identifying macrodomain targets, and creating novel inhibitors through high-throughput screening of compounds. Fehr’s work has global implications for combating current and future coronavirus outbreaks, such as SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV, and PEDV. His lab leverages interdisciplinary approaches, including molecular virology, genetics, and chemical biology, to advance therapeutic strategies.

Collaborations with KU’s Structural Biology Center, Chemical Biology Core, and Protein Structure & X-Ray Crystallography Laboratory enhance his research capabilities. Fehr emphasizes mentorship, aiming to train the next generation of scientists, and has secured NIH grant renewals to sustain long-term studies on macrodomain biochemistry and its application in antiviral drug discovery.