Download Chemistry Research

Chemistry Research
The chemistry department values active student participation
in original research projects. Here are some of the many
research areas in which our faculty are involved.
n Dr.
Anita Brown –
Physical/Computational
Chemistry
[email protected]
Have you ever wondered why two
molecules might “stick together?”
or whether a molecule would prefer
to “hang out” with one substance
over another? If so, then you may
be interested in computational
chemistry research with Dr. Brown.
Using computer programs, we build
models of individual molecules, then
use principles of physics to predict
how those molecules will behave.
Currently, Dr. Brown’s group is
investigating pi-pi and pi-cation
interactions in biomolecular systems.
One of these projects involves the
possible inhibition of an enzyme
involved in tuberculosis infections.
CONTACT INFORMATION
For information on the
Chemistry Department:
410-543-6480
n Dr.
n Dr.
n Dr.
[email protected]
For over a decade the NIH has
funded the Protein Structure Initiative
(PSI), whose goal is the 3D structure
determination of a broad range of
proteins. Of the approximately 4,000
PSI determined protein structures,
over 1,500 are of unknown function.
Linking protein function to structure
and eventually gene sequence would
have major impact on biology and
medicine, though currently protein
function must be characterized using
classic biochemical techniques.
Dr. Dewald’s research focuses on
characterizing putative (probable)
enzymes with known structures,
determined by the PSI, but with
unknown/untested
function.
Bioinformatics is used to select
proteins of interest, predict their
function, and design assays to test and
characterize
the
function
spectrophotometrically. Functional
results will be published and added to
databases including TOPSAN
Proteopedia
and
the
PSI
Knowledgebase.
[email protected]
Research in Dr. Friese’s lab is centered
on designing and making new
molecules and ligands that can be used
to help answer interesting chemical
questions. For example, for one of
the projects students investigate how
ligands can be used to increase the
separation selectivity and efficiency
of environmentally relevant ions. A
second project has students working
on an alternative method for the
synthesis of compounds which contain
the dihydroisobenzofuran substructure
using an intramolecular cyclization
reaction. These students are currently
exploring the versatility of this
method in order to adapt this new
cyclization to the making of natural
products, with special interests toward a
recently isolated natural product,
pestacin.
[email protected]
Students in Dr. Habay’s laboratory are
designing new and efficient chemical
reactions used to produce important
organic building blocks. These
building blocks can be used in the
construction of new pharmaceuticals
or molecular tools for biology. As one
example, Dr. Habay’s students have
recently discovered a new ring-forming
reaction that will be used to produce
molecules with the ability to inhibit the
enzyme thrombin, thereby preventing
blood clotting. In another project,
students have synthesized small
molecules that are used as tools to
study the neuropeptide S receptor in
the brain; a newly discovered and
important receptor that plays a role in
anxiety, asthma and diet. Students in
Dr. Habay’s laboratory work as
molecular architects, designing and
building molecules “from scratch.”
Applying principles of organic
chemistry from the classroom,
students use advanced lab techniques
and collaborative problem solving to
build better molecules more quickly
and efficiently.
Alison Dewald –
Biochemistry
www.salisbury.edu/Chemistry
Seth Friese –
Organic Chemistry
Stephen A. Habay –
Organic Chemistry
Continued on back
SALISBURY
n Dr.
Fredrick Kundell –
Physical/Computational
Chemistry
[email protected]
For the last eight years, Dr. Kundell
has been using computational chemistry
to examine the origin of life on
Earth. This work led to an article titled
“A Suggested Pioneer Organism for
the Wachershauser Origin of Life
Hypothesisi” published online in the
journal Origin of Life and Evolution of
Biospheres during spring 2010. This
article suggests that an initial RNA
was formed on the growing edge of
small pyrite crystals. The next step
in this project is the computational
examination of a growing pyrite
crystal surface as a catalytic source
for other biologically important
compounds.
n Dr.
n Dr.
[email protected]
Dr. Luttrell and his students develop
and apply new computational
methods that improve the
understanding of data generated by
chemical instrumentation. This
interdisciplinary field of analytical
chemistry, known as chemometrics, is
an exciting blend of chemistry,
mathematics
and
computer
programming. Dr. Luttrell’s group is
involved in several chemometricsbased research projects. Currently,
they are analyzing biochemical high
performance liquid chromatograms
using innovative regression fusion
techniques. Regression fusion allows
us to determine which sections of the
chromatograms are more strongly
related to analyte concentration. By
placing additional emphasis on these
sections, they are able to decrease the
error associated with the final
quantitative results. Their next goal is
to apply “Moving Window”
regression fusion to further improve
these results.
[email protected]
In Dr. Miller’s laboratory, we are
studying the effect of seasonal
temperature changes on the rate of
denitrification using ion sensitive
probes and chemical analyses. We
are also using molecular techniques
to look for one or more microbial
genetic markers that can indicate the
boundary where wetland denitrification
begins. In a second project, we are
using HPLC and NMR to examine
the biochemical function and structural
properties of nordihydroguaretic
acid (NDGA) and how they may
influence NDGA’s chemical interactions
with proteins, membranes and other
small molecules.
Robert D. Luttrell –
Analytical Chemistry
Katherine Miller –
Biochemistry
n Dr.
Ed Senkbeil –
Biochemistry/
Chemical Education
[email protected]
Dr. Senkbeil and his students are
developing a Chemistry Outreach
Program for the surrounding area.
Science students who participate
learn to perform numerous chemical
demonstrations and “hands-on” activities.
Our goal is for students and other
audiences to gain a deeper appreciation
of science/ chemistry while having fun!
Students develop a variety of skills,
including selection of demonstrations,
understanding of the relevant chemistry
of the demonstrations, practical
knowledge of the chemicals used with
an emphasis on safety and disposal,
mechanics of performing the
demonstration, and reflection/
assessment of the effectiveness of the
demonstration.
www.salisbury.edu/Chemistry
SALISBURY