Brian P. Callahan

Brian P. Callahan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Binghamton University. He holds a BS in Biology from SUNY Cortland (1997), a PhD in Biochemistry and Biophysics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2005), and completed postdoctoral training at UNC, Wadsworth Center, and the University at Albany (NY). His research focuses on the biogenesis of hedgehog proteins, their role in embryonic development and cancer, and the development of small molecule inhibitors to target these processes.

Callahan’s lab employs techniques such as recombinant protein expression, analytical chromatography, and bioconjugation to study protein chemistry and biological pathways. Collaborations include partnerships with NIH, RPI, and SUNY-ESF. The lab has secured grants from the Department of Defense, NIH (National Cancer Institute and NIAID), and NYS-DOH.

Key research themes include understanding hedgehog autoprocessing mechanisms, designing inhibitors/activators via cell-based assays, and exploring paracatalytic strategies to subvert enzyme specificity. The lab has published three cover articles and emphasizes undergraduate involvement in research, with several co-authored papers by undergraduates.

His work integrates chemistry and biology to address biomedical questions, with applications in cancer therapy and drug discovery. Current projects focus on cholesterol modification in hedgehog proteins and their pathogenic roles in oncology.