Kayvon Pedram investigates molecular assemblies occurring in the spaces between cells of an organism. This extracellular matrix is a fundamental feature of a multicellular life, but it is challenging to interrogate with conventional approaches rooted in genetics and sequencing. Pedram and his team use chemical biology and advanced imaging to overcome barriers to the study of extracellular structures and events. They aim to uncover principles by which the extracellular matrix governs mammalian biology, develop new therapeutic strategies that exploit the unique properties of extracellular biomolecules, and distribute methods that will allow others to join those long-term efforts.