George Gokel

George W. Gokel is a Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Missouri in St. Louis, where he also serves as Director of the Center for Nanoscience. He holds a B.S. from Tulane University (1968) and a Ph.D. from the University of Southern California (1971), followed by postdoctoral work at UCLA under D.J. Cram. His academic career includes prior roles at Penn State, the University of Maryland, and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

Research Focus

Dr. Gokel’s research centers on supramolecular chemistry, membrane-active compounds, and antimicrobial agents. His lab designs synthetic ion channels and transporters, particularly focusing on hydraphiles, pyrogallolarenes, and peptide-based amphiphiles. Key areas include:

• Cation-π interactions and their biological relevance
• Enhancement of antibiotic efficacy via ion channel synergy
• Applications in plant root morphology and drug delivery

Professional Contributions

He has authored over 111 publications, including seminal work on synthetic ion channels (e.g., Chem. Commun., J. Am. Chem. Soc.), and holds patents on antimicrobial compounds. His lab actively collaborates with industry and academia, advancing drug development and chemical biology.

Affiliations

In addition to his academic role, Gokel serves as Associate Director of the Center for Nanoscience. His research is supported by grants focusing on supramolecular systems and biophysical applications.