Dr. Jared Anderson
http://www.utoledo.edu/as/chemistry/people/Webpages/Anderson.html
Development of Sampling Methods using Functionalized Ionic Liquids
One of the most intense research areas in analytical chemistry is the development of rapid, sensitive, and selective sampling techniques. These sampling techniques are used in everyday analysis by pharmaceutical, petroleum, and flavors/fragrance industries world-wide. Currently, our research group is developing a new class of extraction techniques that utilize the unique chemical properties of a class of compounds called 'ionic liquids'. Ionic liquids are a class of liquid salts that possess melting points lower than 100 degrees Celsius. Depending on how we design the ionic liquid, sampling methods can be developed to target specific molecules (i.e., drug targets, impurities, etc.) within a sample. The student working on this project will work closely with a graduate student in the design of the sampling device as well as the synthesis of all required compounds. An understanding of various separation methods commonly used in industry will be obtained through hands-on experience.
Dr. John Bellizzi
http://www.utoledo.edu/as/chemistry/people/Webpages/Bellizzi.html
Cloning and Expression of Circadian Clock Proteins
In this project, the Project Seed student will design and produce expression constructs of one of several mammalian proteins that are involved in the maintenance of circadian rhythms. Proteins available for the project will include the C-terminal domain of CLOCK, a transcription factor with protein acetyltransferase activity, and mutant forms of the delta and epsilon isoforms of casein kinase I. The student will introduce their completed expression vectors into E. coli hosts for protein production, and will characterize the recombinant protein. If successful, the student will have the opportunity to scale up the protein production and develop a purification protocol. Purified recombinant protein will subsequently be used for kinetic assays and crystallization trials.
Dr. Terry Bigioni
http://www.utoledo.edu/as/chemistry/people/Webpages/Bigioni.html
Metal Nanoparticles for Solar Cells
The Bigioni lab is interested in understanding the synthesis and applications of colloidal nanoparticles and other nanostructures in functional nanocomposite materials and devices. The colloidal nanoparticles we work with have an inorganic core that determines the physical properties and a soft outer shell of organic molecules that determines the chemical and interfacial properties. This allows us to tune the properties of these nanocomposite materials to suit the need. This project will involve the synthesis of metal nanoparticles and assemblies of those nanoparticles to enhance the ability of solar cells to absorb light. The mechanism is similar to metal-enhanced fluorescence and surface-enhanced Raman scattering.
Dr. Amanda Bryant-Friedrich
http://www.utoledo.edu/pharmacy/depts/mbc/faculty-abryant.html
Oxidative Damage in DNA Adduct Formation
When DNA is damaged by reactive oxygen species, the result is base oxidation and oligonucleotide strand cleavage in the form of single and double strand breaks. These strand breaks create oligonucleotides which are terminated by phosphorylated fragments which contain small sugar end groups. These lesions must be removed in order for the DNA strand to be repaired. The majority of these lesions are removed by DNA repair enzymes. They are however, highly unstable moieties that easily undergo hydrolysis and can be liberated into the cellular environment before repair occurs. When this is the case, these small sugar fragments can act as electrophiles which form adducts with available DNA bases and protein side chains. It is the goal of this project to determine if DNA damage fragments do indeed generate sugar fragments under physiological conditions and if these fragments cause the formation of DNA and protein adducts.
Dr. Dragan Isailovic
http://www.utoledo.edu/as/chemistry/people/Webpages/Isailovic.html
Seeing a Rainbow through a Microscope: Labeling of Cells with Multiple Fluorophores
Fluorescent labels such as fluorescent proteins, organic fluorophores, quantum dots, and immunolabels are commonly used probes of biomolecular localization and function in cells and tissues. A plethora of colored fluorophores is available for fluorescent labeling of cells. However, our ability to simultaneously visualize multiple chromophores is limited by their spectral overlap as well as complicated labeling procedures. The goal of this project is to determine the maximum numbers of the fluorophores that can be used to get distinct information on subcellular localization of proteins, glycans, nucleic acids, and other biomolecules. Fluorescently labeled cells will be imaged by a fluorescent microscope, and fluorescence spectra of multiple fluorophores in cells will be distinguished by using appropriate excitation and emission filters as well as by incorporation of a diffraction grating.
Dr. Joe Schmidt
http://www.utoledo.edu/as/chemistry/people/Webpages/Schmidt.html
New Palladium Catalysts for Heck and Sonogashira Reactions
In this project, the Project Seed student will screen our new 3-iminophosphine catalysts for a series of palladium-based bond-forming reactions, including Heck and Sonogashira coupling. Each of these well-studied reactions has been important in the synthesis of complicated organic molecules. In previous work, these catalysts have proven to be quite useful for catalytic hydroamination, aryl amination, and Suzuki coupling reactions. After initial screening, the new catalysts will then be applied in key coupling steps affiliated with the production of biologically-relevant molecules, including indoles, epothilone analogues, and glycosyl ureas, all of which have utility as pharmaceuticals.
Dr. Steve Sucheck
http://www.utoledo.edu/as/chemistry/people/Webpages/Sucheck.html
Microwave Synthesis of Oxazolidinone Antibiotics
This research project involves the development of new 1,2,3-triazole oxazolidinone antibiotics potentially capable of combating pathogens such as tuberculosis and MRSA. This simple three-step synthetic project employs modern microwave chemistry to complete the synthesis of several new 1,2,3-triazole-oxazolidinones. The small library of oxazolidinone derivatives will be screened for antibiotic activity against non-pathogenic Gram positive bacteria.
Dr. Kana Yamamoto
http://www.utoledo.edu/as/chemistry/people/Webpages/Yamamoto.html
Catalytic Enantioselective Alcohol Oxidation
Aminoxy-radical catalyzed aerobic oxidation of alcohols is one of the most atom-efficient catalytic systems for this type of oxidation. This reaction has been favored for industrial application for its versatility, robustness and cost of operation. On the other hand, due to the increasing number of chiral molecules in pharmaceutical, material, and agrochemical applications, establishing more tools to generate enantioenriched molecules has become an urgent issue, especially for oxidation reactions. As such, we are interested in developing an asymmetric version of the above oxidation. In order to reach this goal, we have designed several catalysts that are expected to induce enantioselectivity of the reaction to some degree. The Seed students will help evaluate catalyst activity, by an HPLC method. If necessary and if time allows, they may get involved in establishing an appropriate model system to evaluate enantioselectivity by other methods. The result will be used to further fine-tune the catalysts for their optimal performance.