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Articles 121 - 150 of 254
Full-Text Articles in Chemistry
Molecular Collisional Energy Transfer Efficiency, Jeffery K. Thomson, Dr. Eric T. Sevy
Molecular Collisional Energy Transfer Efficiency, Jeffery K. Thomson, Dr. Eric T. Sevy
Journal of Undergraduate Research
The kinetics of unimolecular reactions are especially interesting in the manner in which they absorb or transfer energy. For a unimolecular reaction to proceed, an activation energy barrier must be overcome. This barrier can be overcome through collisions with other molecules or atoms with sufficient force that excite vibrations violent enough to break chemical bonds. It has been observed that some molecules are more efficient at transferring energy through collisions than others. The reasons why some molecules transfer energy more efficiently are not fully understood. The goal of this project is to provide a window into the events taking place …
Antibiotic Compounds Isolated From Plant Microbes, Michael C. Haymore, Dr. Noel Owen
Antibiotic Compounds Isolated From Plant Microbes, Michael C. Haymore, Dr. Noel Owen
Journal of Undergraduate Research
The discovery of penicillin by Alexander Flemming in the early twentieth century is seen as one of the most significant medical advances in the past 100 years. Millions of people have had their lives preserved or prolonged due to the use of effective antibiotics since their discovery and wide-spread use. However, with the incredibly diverse and constantly evolving infectious diseases older antibiotics such as penicillin are becoming obsolete in the fight against infection. Thus, there remains a constant need to discover antibiotics effective against today’s diseases. Plants are a rich source of antibiotic compounds. Because plants live and compete in …
A Novel Method For The Preparation Of Sulfhydryl-Terminated Self-Assembled Monolayers On Gold, Justin Gregory Peacock, Dr. Matthew R. Linford
A Novel Method For The Preparation Of Sulfhydryl-Terminated Self-Assembled Monolayers On Gold, Justin Gregory Peacock, Dr. Matthew R. Linford
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Self-assembled monolayers (SAM’s) on gold have been extensively studied during the past 20 years because of their use in biochemical surface recognition, as nanotechnological structures, as nano-chemical wires and circuits in electronics, as a means of creating patterned surfaces, as sensors to monitor various chemical levels, and to attach proteins and other biomolecules to surfaces.1 In 1994 Offord et al.2 prepared series of mixed monolayers on gold using different proportions of t-butylthiol and 1-octadecanethiol. When monolayers were prepared from ethanolic solutions, anomalous surface properties were observed at intermediate t-butylthiol solution concentrations. They attributed the higher than expected thicknesses and lower …
Potential Inhibitors Of Hiv Integrase, Daniel A. Gubler, Dr. Matt A. Peterson
Potential Inhibitors Of Hiv Integrase, Daniel A. Gubler, Dr. Matt A. Peterson
Journal of Undergraduate Research
The purpose of my research is to synthesize a new class of enediynes that mimic linbenzoadenosine derivatives and have potential for inhibiting HIV integrase. This new class of enediynes is shown in Figure 1. Upon synthesis we will evaluate the biological activity of these compounds.
Follicular Dendritic Cells As Reservoirs Of Diverse Human Immunodeficiency Virus: A Phylogenetic Analysis, Trever Bradley Burgon, Dr. Gregory F. Burton
Follicular Dendritic Cells As Reservoirs Of Diverse Human Immunodeficiency Virus: A Phylogenetic Analysis, Trever Bradley Burgon, Dr. Gregory F. Burton
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the retrovirus that causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), currently infects over 42 million people; more than three million of them are children under the age of 15. The Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS calls the current AIDS epidemic: “the most devastating disease mankind has ever faced.”
Collision Cross Section Measurements In A Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometer, Daniel E. Austin, Dr. David Dearden
Collision Cross Section Measurements In A Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometer, Daniel E. Austin, Dr. David Dearden
Journal of Undergraduate Research
I explored the possibility of using spectral linewidths in a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer (FTICR-MS) to measure ion collision cross sections. A measurement of an ion’s collision cross section would provide important information about its conformation, or the spatial arrangement of the atoms and functional groups that make up the ion.
Generation And Formal Analysis Of Algorithmic Fractals In Hyperspaces, Minglei Xu, Dr. Robert P. Burton
Generation And Formal Analysis Of Algorithmic Fractals In Hyperspaces, Minglei Xu, Dr. Robert P. Burton
Journal of Undergraduate Research
n-D fractals, where n> 4, have long been under scrutiny for their mathematical properties and artistic values. Multi-dimensional space filling curves, for instance, are a focus for contemporary topologists. Notable works in this area include the uses of quaternions, commutative hyper-complex calculus, and, most recently, doubling processes. However, all these discoveries have been limited to algebraic fractals such as the Mandelbrot set and the Julia sets. Algorithmic fractals are equally interesting since they serve as bridges connecting chaos theory to well studied formal language theory.1 2-D and 3-D algorithmic fractals are conventionally generated and analyzed using L-systems and iterated function …
Development Of A New Sugar Receptor, William D. Thomas, Dr. Paul B. Savage
Development Of A New Sugar Receptor, William D. Thomas, Dr. Paul B. Savage
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Oligosaccharides are enormously rich in structural information. They are often branched and can be bonded together by a variety of different linkages, unlike polypeptides which contain identical peptide bonds.1 For this reason, polysaccharides play a crucial role in cell recognition.2 Although carbohydrate recognition is known to take place, the event is not well understood.3 In order to better understand the hydrophobic interactions that enhance binding between sugar based receptors and various small hydrophobic molecules in aqueous solvents, the synthesis of a glucose based cavity was attempted (see Fig. 3). The cavity was carefully designed to maximize hydrophobic interactions with small …
The Role Of Rgs16 In Germinal Center T Cells, Aaron Lewis, Dr. Gregory Burton
The Role Of Rgs16 In Germinal Center T Cells, Aaron Lewis, Dr. Gregory Burton
Journal of Undergraduate Research
RGS16 is an inhibitor of the chemokine receptor, CXCR4, and HIV uses CXCR4 to infect CD4+ T cells. CXCR4 is upregulated in germinal center (GC) T cells even though RGS16 is present in GC T cells
Synthesis And Characterization Of Novel Amino-Retinoid A4-Spermine, Jeffrey Swallow, Dr. Heidi Vollmer-Snarr
Synthesis And Characterization Of Novel Amino-Retinoid A4-Spermine, Jeffrey Swallow, Dr. Heidi Vollmer-Snarr
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in developed countries. The accumulation of lipofuscin in the eye causes death of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) leading to blindness (1,2). The lipofuscin chemical A2E has been shown to have cytotoxic effect in RPE, yet much of lipofuscin has remained uncharacterized (3). We have shown that other compounds exist in lipofuscin through preliminary mass spectroscopy (MS) and high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) data collected from lipofuscin samples. Our lab is working to first characterize these lipofuscin compounds and then we will also study their oxidative products in order …
Production Of A Novel Anti-Tumor Chemotherapy Agent, Jeffrey Stephens, Dr. Merrit Andrus
Production Of A Novel Anti-Tumor Chemotherapy Agent, Jeffrey Stephens, Dr. Merrit Andrus
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Cancer is a condition unlike any other known to man. It is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. In 2000, over 500,000 deaths resulted from various cancers.1 This has led to an extensive search for improved ways to treat cancer, and has left a daunting challenge to develop new ways to treat this condition. The natural product Geldanamycin (GA), the most potent of the benzoquinone absamycin antibiotics, has shown to have great promise as an anti-tumor agent. The analog of Geldanamycin, 17-Allylanino-GA, is currently in clinical trials2, and the first total synthesis of GA was …
Retinal-Bio-Amine Synthesis Related To Age-Related Macular Degeneration, Matthew Sparks, Dr. Heidi Vollmer-Snarr
Retinal-Bio-Amine Synthesis Related To Age-Related Macular Degeneration, Matthew Sparks, Dr. Heidi Vollmer-Snarr
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause for blindness among the world’s elderly population1. As the central region of the retina, known as the macula, is damaged and begins to deteriorate, central vision becomes clouded. This vision loss progresses until the affected person becomes completely and permanently blind. To date, AMD is an incurable disease.
Investigate And Study Of The Properties Of 2,2-Dipicolyamine And It Interactions With Anions, Martin Conda Sheridan, Dr. John Lamb
Investigate And Study Of The Properties Of 2,2-Dipicolyamine And It Interactions With Anions, Martin Conda Sheridan, Dr. John Lamb
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Compared to cation ligand interactions, anion ligand studies are less well known. We studied the interactions of protonated cavitands, Fig 1, with anions because of their many applications, including: environmental waste remediation, anion separation, binding constant determination, and molecular structure recognition.
Stereo-Selective Photochemical [2+2] Cycloaddition: Π-Π Interactions Or Radical Stabilization, Alexander Parent, Dr. Steven Fleming
Stereo-Selective Photochemical [2+2] Cycloaddition: Π-Π Interactions Or Radical Stabilization, Alexander Parent, Dr. Steven Fleming
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Organic chemistry centers around the stereo- and regioselective formation of C–C bonds. Although [4+2] and [2+2] cycloadditions present the opportunity for single-step creation of multiple stereocenters and two C–C bonds, the products resulting from intermolecular cycloadditions can be hard to predict and yields of any single isomer can be low. These obstacles can be overcome by the use of a removable tether, which induces regio- and stereo-control through the forced intramolecular reaction. The silyl acetal-tethered [2+2] photocycloaddition has been shown to produce high yields of a single product when both of the reacting alkenes contain extended p-systems. This phenomenon is …
Cadmium Specific Ion Sensor, David Michaelis, Dr. Paul Savage
Cadmium Specific Ion Sensor, David Michaelis, Dr. Paul Savage
Journal of Undergraduate Research
In recent years it has become critical to detect and monitor concentrations of heavy metal ions in the environment. Cadmium and other heavy metals have detrimental effects to human health. The main difficulty of sensing these ions is selectively detecting the ions in the presence of other naturally present metal ions such as calcium, zinc, and copper. Fluorescent molecular sensors provide an ideal solution to the problem. These organic sensors can be constructed to selectively bind with target metal ions. While many such sensors exist today, little work has been done to incorporate such sensors into portable sensing devices.
Isolation, Structure Identification And Cytotoxic Studies Of Biologically Active Compounds In Carica Papaya Of Ghana, Kurtis S. Staples, Dr. Steven G. Wood
Isolation, Structure Identification And Cytotoxic Studies Of Biologically Active Compounds In Carica Papaya Of Ghana, Kurtis S. Staples, Dr. Steven G. Wood
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Carica papaya, commonly known as the papaya plant, is found in large abundance throughout the tropical regions of the planet. The fruit of the plant has been extensively studied with papain, a protease, being the center of research. Preliminary studies showed that compounds found in the leaves of the plant possessed anti-cancer properties. As alternatives for cancer treatment are constantly being sought, plant extracts have risen to the forefront in this hunt.1 An understanding of the structure and mode of activity of the compounds in this plant will further knowledge of how to develop chemotherapeutic agents.
Synthesis Of Hiv Integrase Inhibitors, Carl Jones, Dr. Matt A. Peterson
Synthesis Of Hiv Integrase Inhibitors, Carl Jones, Dr. Matt A. Peterson
Journal of Undergraduate Research
We have made significant progress toward the synthesis of one branch of the library of compounds that we plan to synthesize. The scheme we have followed is shown below. Once synthesized, we plan to have the compounds tested by expert collaborators to see how well they bind HTLV integrase. In addition, they will be tested against many viruses and cancers, as well as HIV. Because they are nucleoside based, it is impossible to predict exactly what type of biological activity these compounds will have. They could possibly treat a variety of diseases.
Thermodynamics Of Titanium Oxide Nanoparticles, Marcus Donaldson, Dr. Juliana Boerio-Goates
Thermodynamics Of Titanium Oxide Nanoparticles, Marcus Donaldson, Dr. Juliana Boerio-Goates
Journal of Undergraduate Research
I studied the thermodynamics of titanium oxide nanoparticles using adiabatic and semi-adiabatic calorimetry.
Preferential Infection Of Germinal Center T Cells By X4 Tropic Hiv, Christopher M. Cherry, Dr. Gregory F. Burton
Preferential Infection Of Germinal Center T Cells By X4 Tropic Hiv, Christopher M. Cherry, Dr. Gregory F. Burton
Journal of Undergraduate Research
HIV infects CD4 T cells through binding to CD4 and an appropriate co-receptor. Two co-receptors of concern in HIV biology are CXCR4 and CCR5 because of their affect on disease progression. The majority of transmittable HIV strains use CCR5 as a co-receptor. However, during the latter stages of disease the virus may shift from using CCR5 to using CXCR4 as its co-receptor. This change is referred to as a shift in tropism, and it is of major concern because it leads to rapid disease progression (3). The site and mechanism by which this shift occurs still elude scientists. Recent findings …
Understanding Isolated Systems Of Hard Spheres, Scott Burt, Dr. Randy Shirts
Understanding Isolated Systems Of Hard Spheres, Scott Burt, Dr. Randy Shirts
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Chemical modeling is an increasingly important tool in modern research. Despite vast improvements in computational speed, most systems of interest are so complex that simulations must be carried out on model systems that are much smaller and simpler than the system of interest. However, such simplified systems often contain constraints that do not apply to the larger system. This causes significant deviations from the true behavior of the corresponding macroscopic system. Such deviations are known as finite size effects. Understanding these effects are important for correctly extrapolating simulation results to the macroscopic system of interest. For example, chemical simulations are …
Pressure Perturbation Calorimetry, Blair R. Brown, Dr. Earl M. Woolley
Pressure Perturbation Calorimetry, Blair R. Brown, Dr. Earl M. Woolley
Journal of Undergraduate Research
In Dr. Woolley’s lab we have made extensive measurements of the Apparent Molar Heat Capacities of aqueous solutions using a Nano Differential Scanning Calorimeter, N-DSC (Calorimetry Science Corporation, Spanish Fork, UT). Through modifications to the N-DSC we are now able to do pressure perturbation calorimetry. That is to say we may now change the pressure of a solution and measure the change in the heat of that solution, (dq/dP)T ( as opposed to (dq/dT)p which is heat capacity). This property is related to entropy by the 2nd law of thermodynamics in the following way (dq/dP)T = T(dS/dP)T. From a Maxwell …
Understanding The Secretion Of Histamine, Sean P. Brady, Dr. Paul B. Savage
Understanding The Secretion Of Histamine, Sean P. Brady, Dr. Paul B. Savage
Journal of Undergraduate Research
With help from fellow lab members, this project involved the synthesis of several antigen linkers in order to aid the understanding of histamine secretion of basophil cells. It is hypothesized that the bi-valent linkers (such as the ones outlined below) do not stimulate basophil cells, but that the tri-valent antigens (not shown in this report) do cause granulation of cells.
Use Of Cationic Steroid Antibiotics To Fight Drug Resistance In Gram-Positive And Gram-Negative Bacteria, Thomas Orsak, Dr. Paul Savage
Use Of Cationic Steroid Antibiotics To Fight Drug Resistance In Gram-Positive And Gram-Negative Bacteria, Thomas Orsak, Dr. Paul Savage
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Drug resistance has become an increasing problem for clinical anti-bacterial needs and a major human health threat. Drug resistance emerges through structural or biochemical pathway changes that antibacterial drugs specifically target. Bacteria have the ability to rapidly mutate and gain resistance to antibacterial drugs because of their ability to reproduce rapidly. However some parts of bacterial cells need to stay consistent. The need for consistency for these parts arises from their complexity and their essential biological activities. One of these parts is the bacterial membrane.
The Localization Of Cationic Steroid Antibiotics In Escherichia Coli Through Transmission Electron Microscopy, Matthew Chadwell, Dr. Paul Savage
The Localization Of Cationic Steroid Antibiotics In Escherichia Coli Through Transmission Electron Microscopy, Matthew Chadwell, Dr. Paul Savage
Journal of Undergraduate Research
The growing numbers of antibiotic resistant bacteria has caused concern in the health community. To combat this enemy, our lab has developed an arsenal of new compounds called cationic steroid antibiotics (CSAs). To date, many of these compounds have successfully killed bacteria resistant to common antibiotics. Although we have successfully killed these bacteria, the question still remains as how this occurs. If we could identify the mode of action by which these compounds kill bacteria, then scientists would be able to develop more effective CSAs.
Identification Of Binding Partners For Phosducin, Tiffany Sabin, Dr. Barry Willardson
Identification Of Binding Partners For Phosducin, Tiffany Sabin, Dr. Barry Willardson
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Cellular signaling is vital to the proper functioning of a cell. In the visual system, as light activates the transmembrane receptor rhodopsin, a series of signals is initiated throughout the cell. This response begins with the activation of G proteins which couple to the rhodopsin. One important player in G protein signaling is Phosducin (Pdc). The unphosphorylated form of Pdc binds to the βγ subunit of the G protein.1 We used a proteomics approach to investigate the possibility of other binding partners for Pdc.
Cataracts And Na,K-Atpase, Ryan Earp, Dr. Steven Graves
Cataracts And Na,K-Atpase, Ryan Earp, Dr. Steven Graves
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Nearly 20.5 million Americans above the age of 40 suffer impaired vision caused by cataracts. By the age of 80, the percentage of Americans suffering from cataracts increases to 50%. According to the World Health Organization cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in the world. The United States government spends an estimated $3.4 billion annually to treat cataracts surgically. The enormous cost of cataract treatment suggests a great need for non-invasive cataract treatment.
Corrections To The Virial Expansion For Finite Hard Sphere Systems, Aaron M. Johnson, Dr. Randall B. Shirts
Corrections To The Virial Expansion For Finite Hard Sphere Systems, Aaron M. Johnson, Dr. Randall B. Shirts
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Computer modeling has become an important aspect of modern chemistry. As chemists try to better understand the how and why of chemical reactions, computer modeling and simulation is unparalleled in value. We are able to learn the conditions that best facilitate effective collisions, and therefore, the best way to design chemical synthesis. However, in order for these simulated results to be most accurate, chemists need to understand how the simulations relate to real systems. Limited by computation speed and programming complexity, simulated systems are always much smaller than real systems in both volume and number of particles. The purpose of …
A2e-Dna Interaction: A Possible Mechanism For Dna Damage, Sierra Evelyn Dabell, Dr. Heidi R. Vollmer-Snarr
A2e-Dna Interaction: A Possible Mechanism For Dna Damage, Sierra Evelyn Dabell, Dr. Heidi R. Vollmer-Snarr
Journal of Undergraduate Research
A2E, a common fluorophore found in the retinal pigment epithelial cells of the eye has been shown to have phototoxic properties. For this reason A2E has been implicated in the progressive etiology of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). If the mechanism of cell death can be understood, a possible intervention can be produced. Moreover, the benefits of researching A2E are two-fold. An understanding of bisoxirane-DNA interactions holds the possibility of revealing information about the pathology of AMD and presents itself as a possible chemotherapy through photo-dynamic therapy.
The Role Of A2e In Amd And Chemotherapy, D. Joshua Cameron, Dr. Heidi Vollmer-Snarr
The Role Of A2e In Amd And Chemotherapy, D. Joshua Cameron, Dr. Heidi Vollmer-Snarr
Journal of Undergraduate Research
A2E is implicated in the etiology of AMD. We have found significant concentrations of A2E present in both lipofuscin and melanolipofuscin of human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, meaning that A2E is likely more involved in AMD than originally thought. Evidence shows that A2E, in small concentrations, is not cytotoxic alone, but becomes toxic when exposed to blue light. The light mechanism involved in A2E toxicity can be controlled and used to trigger cytotoxicity in cancer cell lines. The implications of A2E in AMD and the applications of A2E’s light triggered cytotoxicity as a possible chemotherapeutic treatment were further elucidated …
Isolation Of A 55 Kd Protein That Specifically Binds The 3′ Au-Rich Element Of Interleukin-1b Messenger Rna, David Emergy Skarda, Dr. Roger L. Kaspar
Isolation Of A 55 Kd Protein That Specifically Binds The 3′ Au-Rich Element Of Interleukin-1b Messenger Rna, David Emergy Skarda, Dr. Roger L. Kaspar
Journal of Undergraduate Research
The polypeptide Interleukin- 1(IL-1) is one of the key mediators of the body’s response to microbial invasion, inflammation, immunological reactions, and tissue injury.1 IL- 1gene expression regulation occurs at many steps. One of the steps currently being researched is translation. Recent research indicates that the translational regulation mechanisms of IL- 1include an AU-rich element in the 3′ untranslated region (Fig. 1).2 In this mechanism, an induced protein binds to the AU-rich element (ARE) causing a decrease in translation efficiency. Isolation and subsequent identification of the ARE binding protein may lead to effective new drugs that induce the ARE binding protein …