Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Mass Spectrometry Of Dendrimer Metal Complexes, Jason David Batchelor

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Dendrimers are hyper-branched macromolecules with unique properties. They form using a “cascade-like” synthesis involving repetitive reaction steps. These steps are controlled, resulting in monodisperse dendrimers. Synthesis is divergent, core to exterior, or convergent, exterior to core. Dendrimers are created from various molecules with numerous functional properties. They are used as catalysts, diagnostic agents, and others.

This thesis studies 1st generation poly(propylene) imine, consisting of a diaminobutane core with 4 propyl amine branches. Fragmentation of protonated and metal (Co, Ni, Cu and Zn) complexed dendrimers was analyzed by ion-trap mass spectrometry. Two isotopically labeled dendrimers were synthesized for neutral loss identification …

Identification And Analysis Of Prohibitin In B16 Mouse Melanoma Cells, Christopher Francis

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Prohibitin, a highly conserved protein found in eukaryotic cells, has been found in recent years to possess a wide variety of functions in the cell. Whereas the mechanisms by which the protein functions are still largely unknown, it is clear that prohibitin possesses very strong anti-proliferative properties in the cell, as well as potentially both nuclear and mitochondrial functions based upon its movement and localization upon apoptotic signaling. Upon treatment with retinoic acid, transformed B16 mouse melanoma cells also indicate a differential expression of prohibitin in which production of the protein is increased. The purpose of this work was to …