Welcome!

​The Adams Lab works at the interface of chemistry and biology to uncover new drug candidates and biological mechanisms for promoting the repair of myelin.  Myelin is the protective coating that surrounds nerve cells much like the insulating coating of an electrical wire.  In several debilitating diseases, including multiple sclerosis, loss of myelin leads to deficits in nervous system function.  Recently, we identified a new mechanism leveraged by dozens of small molecules to promote the formation of new myelin in the lab and in animal models of multiple sclerosis.  Our work, which was recently published in Nature, provides a new mechanistic paradigm, as well as new drug candidates and biomarkers, to propel the development of the first remyelinating therapeutics.

​Recent News

Dharma and Zita's paper is published in Cell Chemical Biology​!

"Diverse Chemical Scaffolds Enhance Oligodendrocyte Formation by Inhibiting CYP51, TM7SF2, or EBP" Cell Chemical Biology, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chembiol.2019.01.004 
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14 February 2019

Dharma departs the Adams lab to establish the Dharmaraja Lab at IITK!

We are thrilled to announce that Dharma has accepted a faculty position at Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur in the department of Chemistry! Best of luck to Dharma!

November 2018

Zita and Dharma's paper is published in Nature!

"Accumulation of 8,9-unsaturated sterols drives oligodendrocyte formation and remyelination"  Nature, 2018, http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41586-018-0360-3
 
Our work provides a new roadmap for promoting myelin repair in multiple sclerosis and other diseases.  Huge thanks to everyone who helped us out along the way, whether across the hall (that's you, Tesar Lab) or across the globe!

Check out the press release for more info:
http://casemed.case.edu/cwrumed360/news-releases/release.cfm?news_id=1375&news_category=8

25 July 2018

Drew and Paul co-found Convelo Therapeutics!

Convelo Therapeutics, Inc. disclosed today that it has raised $7.8 million to develop new therapeutics for diseases of myelin.  Co-founded by Drew and close collaborator Paul Tesar, Convelo is located in Cleveland and led by a team of Boston-based biotech pioneers:  CEO Derrick Rossi (co-founder of Moderna, Intellia, and Magenta) and Chief Development Officer Steve Landau (Shape, Tensha).  

Check out the press release for more details!  
 https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180725005491/en/Convelo-Therapeutics-Develop-New-Regenerative-Medicines-Neurological


​25 July 2018

Drew is now the Thomas F. Peterson, Jr. Professor of Cancer and Energy Research! 

At a ceremony led by Dean Davis, Drew was honored as the Thomas F. Peterson, Jr. Professor of Cancer and Energy Research.  Tom's generous support has accelerated the research of several Case Western Reserve scientists, including two endowed chairs, and it was a pleasure to have him join the ceremony.  Thanks Tom!

​28 June 2018