RESEARCH: BIOPHYSICAL AND BIOANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
Research in our laboratory aims to develop a deep understanding of the structure, dynamics, binding interactions and function of biomolecules in solution and in living cells by applying and developing new laser-based optical spectroscopic techniques and computational methods. Our current efforts fall into the following three main areas:

Small-molecule binding to DNA and RNA
The modes of recognition and binding of small, medicinally-relevant compounds with DNA and RNA are studied in order to better understand the mechanisms that control their binding specificity and biological activity. The binding interactions of the compounds are studied in solution using a range of spectroscopic techniques, and in single, living cells with confocal Raman microscopy.

Bioanalytical applications of confocal Raman microscopy
Confocal Raman microscopy is being applied and developed as a bioanalytical tool used to measure the local concentrations, locations and interactions of cellular constituents or other metabolites within single, living cells in real-time. Spectral signatures obtained from diseased (e.g., cancerous) versus normal cells are analyzed to reveal biomarkers for disease.

Oxygenase enzyme catalysis
Raman spectroscopy is used to characterize the structure of the active sites of recombinant wild-type and mutant enzyme forms. Rapid-mixing and cryogenic sampling methodologies are used to detect and characterize oxidative reaction intermediates. Raman microscopy is used to characterize the concentration, locations, structure and redox status of enzymes in living cells.
 

Teaching

CHM6720 – Kinetics and Energetics of Reactions (Spring)
CHM2020 – Chemistry in Modern Life (Fall)
CHM1025 – Contemporary Chemical Issues (Fall 2004)
 

Publications

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