Quinone moieties have a range of biological roles from redox cofactors (e.g. pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) and trihydroxyphenylalanine quinone (TPQ)) to neurotransmitters and adhesion molecules in biology. Our laboratory is currently synthesizing new small molecules bearing quinone moeties with the goal to produce potential therapeutics (antimicrobial or anti-Parkinson's compounds) or new building blocks for novel biomaterials. We are also studying the various enzymes that biosynthesize quinone cofactors in order to target these enzymes within the cell or utilize their catalytic power in chemo-enzymatic synthesis.