From bacterial communities to human tissues and marine ecosystems, living systems are organized by their intrinsic chemical and macromolecular composition, molecular interactions, and often unusual chemical modifications that remain largely hidden from view. Our laboratory uncovers this chemistry and introduces new molecular solutions. We develop innovative strategies to preserve and interrogate intact biological systems in their native state, revealing the chemical principles that govern their organization, function, and persistence. At the same time, we create new antibiotics, sustainable materials, and enabling molecular technologies to address pressing challenges in human health  and the environment.