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Savage Lab

Development of non-peptide mimics of antimicrobial peptides and carbohydrate-based vaccines adjuvanted with a natural killer T cell antigen.

Our Mission

The Savage Lab has developed small-molecule mimics of antimicrobial peptides and is working to understand better mechanisms of antibacterial activity, optimize medical device coatings containing these mimics to prevent bacterial colonization, and optimizing compound structures for varied applications. Savage researchers also work with immunostimulatory glycolipids and oligosaccharide vaccines.

Active Projects

Generation of high-affinity antibodies for capsular polysaccharides of pathogenic bacteria


Development of ceragenins as non-peptide mimetics of endogenous antimicrobial peptides


Ceragenin coatings for medical devices


Natural killer T cell adjuvants for immune stimulation

BYU Forum: It is a dangerous business, going into the laboratory
Dr. Paul B. Savage, the recipient of the 2021 Karl G. Maeser Distinguished Faculty Lecturer Award and professor of chemistry and biochemistry, discusses some of the adventures and experiences he has had as a professor and researcher, and the concept that God has a great academic adventure planned for all of us.