Chemistry Commons^™

Effects Of Ammine And Hydroxyl Groups On The Fluorescence Of Chemosensors, Scott H. Fredrickson, Dr. Paul Savage

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Diaza-crown ethers have the ability to bind many metal cations. When certain side arms are attached, a fluorescence increase can be observed when the metal binds to the crown.^1,2,3,4 Via this increase in fluorescence, presence of metal cations can be detected. For industrial purposes, these molecules may be important in the determination of toxic metal levels in waste streams. The use of different side arms effects the initial fluorescence observed. A side arm similar to 1 is not fluorescent. It is believed that transfer of the hydrogen atom on the hydroxyl group to the pyridine nitrogen quenches fluorescence. When …

Macrocycle-Substituted Resorcinarenes As Primary Functional Groups In Ion Chromatography, Arlo Mcginn, John D. Lamb

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Ion chromatography is an instrumental technique known for its ability to determine and quantify mixtures of ions in solution. In ion chromatography, a solution containing different ions is passed through a column packed with a stationary phase containing active groups (chemical compounds that exhibit binding properties). These active groups show affinity for the various ions in solution. Chemical separations are achieved in ion chromatography by means of electrostatic interactions and coordinate covalent bond formation between the active groups in the stationary phase of the chromatography column and the ions present in the mobile phase or eluent. Strong interactions effectively slow …

Interaction Of Phosducin-Like Protein With Eukaryotic Cytosolic Chaperonin, Sarah Hart, Dr. Barry Willardson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Eukaryotic cells employ G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) to detect various extracellular signaling molecules, including many that control cell proliferation. As a result, a knowledge of G protein pathway components and their mechanisms of interaction and regulation is essential in understanding cell transformation. Phosducin-like protein (PhLP) is a broadly expressed regulator of G protein signaling that exerts its effect by binding to G protein âã subunits [1-3]. When a signaling molecule binds to the extracellular surface of the receptor, it results in a conformational change in the receptor. This causes an interaction between the receptor and a heterotrimeric G protein …

A Column Free Protein Purification Procedure Using E. Coli Single ‐ Stranded Dna Binding Protein (Ssb) As An Affinity Tag, Mark Soffe

Research on the Hill (Salt Lake City)

SSBs are DNA binding proteins that are essential components of cells and play key roles in DNA replication, repair, and recombination. Here we utilize two biochemical properties associated with the E. coli SSB protein to develop a novel procedure to purify proteins using a resin-free strategy to combat the largest bottleneck in biochemical research— obtaining uncontaminated, single proteins from the total cellular contents.

1. E. coli SSB binds to single stranded DNA (ssDNA) with extremely high affinity.

2. It is also a unique protein with respect to its purification—it is possible to obtain greater than 95% pure SSB from the …

Facile Preparation Of 1st-­‐Row Transition Metal Chalcogenides As Hydrogen Evolution Catalysts In Water, Lia Bogoev

Research on the Hill (Salt Lake City)

Hydrogen, when generated directly from water with renewal energy input, is a promising chemical fuel for sustainable energy applications. As such, the development of synthetic catalysts of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) that functionally mimic the elegant water reduction chemistry of hydrogenase enzymes have attracted broad interest, but creating molecular systems that utilize earth-abundant elements and achieve high activity, low overpotential, and long-term stability in green aqueous media remains a significant challenge. Solid-state inorganic compounds offer an alternative strategy to meet this goal. Our group is developing 1st-row transition metal chalcogenides via facile potential dynamic deposition as competent HER catalysts in …

Development Of Integrated Pumps For Microdevices, Melissa Draper, Dr. Adam Woolley

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Miniaturization offers several advantages in regards to protein characterization, including the potential to increase speed and throughput while reducing reagent consumption (and therefore reducing cost) during analysis. In recent years, the Human Genome Project has generated an unprecedented amount of genetic information; it has also instigated several developments in the area of miniaturization. However, one of the greatest advantages of the technique—the possibility of forming integrated microdevices capable of carrying out multiple steps of an assay on a single miniaturized platform—remains relatively undeveloped.

Improved Synthesis Of 2-Amino-6-Alkoxypurineribosides, Potential Co-Agents For Combination Therapy With Alkylating Anticancer Drugs, Dr. Morris J. Robins, Dr. Theodore C. Jessop

Journal of Undergraduate Research

2-amino-6-alkoxypurineribosides are involved in clinical testing as anticancer co-drugs (1); however, current methods for the large scale synthesis of these compounds have proven extremely difficult. The improved synthesis of 2-amino-6-alkoxypurineribosides reported herein allows easy access to these medicinally important compounds.

A Non-Equilibrium Approach To Temperature Calibration For Tungsten Filament Atomic Spectrometry, Edward C. Navarre, Paige Wallace

SIUE Faculty Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity

A nonequilibrium approach to voltamperometric temperature measurement for tungsten filament atomizers was developed to facilitate the transfer of thermal conditions between instruments that possess different power supply regulation modes and filaments. Large differences in the equilibrium and instantaneous temperatures were found during the pyrolysis and atomization steps of cadmium atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) analysis. By using the instantaneous temperature, the pyrolysis and atomization behaviors of cadmium were shown to be equivalent regardless of the power supply regulation mode. The pyrolysis conditions optimized for a 15-V filament were readily and accurately transferred to a 12-V filament by applying the nonequilibrium voltamperometric …

Detection And Assay Of Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) Utilizing Uv/Vis Spectrophotometer And Citric Acid Buffer, Ronald Bartzatt, Michelle Lee Follis

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Aims: Riboflavin is a B vitamin that is required for a wide variety of cellular processes. The absorbance spectrum of riboflavin was determined at different pH utilizing several buffers. The buffer at pH demonstrating table absorbance peaks with high numerical values of molar absorptivity is followed by accurate and sensitive assay of riboflavin by spectrophotometer. Study Design: The absorbance spectrum of riboflavin is determined in an aqueous buffer at various pH values. After identifying the absorbance peaks providing maximal molar absorptivity the assay of riboflavin in the identical buffer was undertaken. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Chemistry, Durham …

Effects Of Protein Ratio And Concentration On Nitrogenase Catalyzed Substrate Reduction, Kyrsten Ann Crawford, Dr. Gerald D. Watt

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Although the earth’s atmosphere is approximately 80% nitrogen (N₂) gas, this form of nitrogen is inert and must be reduced and “fixed” into a useable form of nitrogen through the process of nitrogen fixation. Nitrogen fixation is an important biological process in the earth’s nitrogen cycle because it provides nutrient nitrogen for plants and animals. The enzyme responsible for conducting nitrogen fixation is nitrogenase, which is found only in certain diazotrophic microorganisms. Nitrogenase is also capable of reducing protons (H⁺) and small substrates that have a terminal triple bond, such as acetylene (C₂H_{2 …}

Establishing A Mammalian Expression System For Cyclooxygenase-2, Nathan K. Evanson, Dr. Daniel L. Simmons

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Cyclooxygenases are proteins that make small molecules called prostaglandins, which relay signals from one cell to another, or from one cell to itself. Prostaglandins are involved in many different physiological processes such as inflammation, contraction of smooth muscle, and regulation of water balance in the kidney. Because prostaglandins are involved in so many different things, they are an important topic of research, and therefore, cyclooxygenases are a topic of intense research.

Polymeric Monolithic Stationary Phases For Capillary Reversed-Phase Liquid Chromatography Of Small Molecules, Kun Liu

Theses and Dissertations

Highly cross-linked monoliths prepared from single cross-linking monomers were found to increase surface area and stability. Therefore, seven cross-linking monomers, i.e., 1,3-butanediol dimethacrylate (1,3-BDDMA), 1,4-butanediol dimethacrylate (1,4-BDDMA), neopentyl glycol dimethacrylate (NPGDMA), 1,5-pentanediol dimethacrylate (1,5-PDDMA), 1,6-hexanediol dimethacrylate (1,6-HDDMA), 1,10-decanediol dimethacrylate (1,10-DDDMA), and 1,12-dodecanediol dimethacrylate (1,12-DoDDMA), were used to synthesize highly cross-linked monolithic columns in 75-µm i.d. capillaries by one-step UV-initiated polymerization using dodecanol and methanol as porogens for reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) of small molecules. Selection of porogen type and concentration was investigated in detail. Isocratic elution of alkylbenzenes at a flow rate of 300 nL/min was conducted for all of …

The Synthesis Of Lipid A Analogs For Use In Studying The Binding Of Lipid A And Polymyxin B, Paul B. Savage, Dr. Bryce A. Harrison

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Gram-negative bacteria contain a toxin known as lipid A (1 in Figure 1). During bacterial infections, lipid A may be released from the bacteria and cause a condition known as septic shock, an over-response of the host immune system that may result in death (2). In fact, septic shock kills over 100,000 people annually in the U.S.1 In hopes of developing treatments for septic shock, we are researching compounds that bind and detoxify lipid A. One such compound, polymyxin B (2 in Figure 2), is itself too toxic for medicinal use; nevertheless, we want to understand how polymyxin B binds …

The Effect Of Substrate Structure On The Cleavage Efficiency Of Trna 3′ Processing Endoribonuclease, Susanna M. Geary, Dr. Roger Kaspar

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Viruses insert DNA or RNA into host cells and use the cell’s resources to make proteins designed to propagate the virus. Viral proteins can cause disease, as can defective proteins from faulty or damaged genes. The enzyme, tRNA 3′ processing endoribonuclease (also called 3′ tRNase) can specifically cleave RNA that is made to resemble pre-tRNA (1). RNA heptamers can be engineered to form such pre-tRNA-resembling complexes by binding to a target RNA just downstream of a stable hairpin loop (fig. 1). Hence, pathogenic RNA could be targeted and destroyed, thereby decreasing the production of damaging proteins.

Potential Role Of Direct Inhibition And Phosphorylation Of The Sodium-Potassium Atpase In Cataract Formation, Jason E. Wright, Dr. Steven W. Graves

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Preliminary data suggested that bovine lens epithelial cells (BLEC) are able to increase the amount of sodium-potassium ATPase (sodium pump or SP) in the plasma membrane. I set out to accomplish three objectives: (1) to continue ongoing ouabain inhibition experiments in order to confirm the preliminary data; (2) to examine BLEC’s response to peptide hormones (in other tissues the peptide hormone induced phosphorylation of SP is followed by an observable removal of SP from the membrane); and (3) to confirm our hypothesis that observations of SP redistribution are a manifestation of BLEC’s ability to compensate for the inhibitory effect of …

The Function Of Phosducin’S N-Terminus And C-Terminus Domains, Collin Driscoll, Dr. Barry M. Willardson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Cells use heterotrimeric G-proteins (Gabg) to transduce extracellular signals into intracellular messages. A hormone or other signal molecule binds to a seven trans-membrane receptor on the cell’s surface causing the receptor to change shape. On the inside of the cell this conformational change causes Gabg to split into a Ga subunit and a Gbg subunit complex. Both Ga and Gbg activate effector enzymes that determine the cellular response to the signal molecule. Phosducin (Pd) is a G-protein regulator that works by binding to the Gbg subunit complex and blocking Gbg function in three ways: 1) It blocks reassociation with Ga, …

Evaluation Of The Activity Of Cationic Steroid Antibiotics, David W. Swenson, Dr. Paul B. Savage

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Food-borne illnesses are a continuing problem in the US [1]. Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria pose significant threats to the integrity of the food supply and to the health of the public. For example, according to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control, an estimated 1 million infections and 500 deaths are associated with food-borne Salmonella infections each year [2]. Additional concern is caused by the fact that many patients who die from food-borne illnesses are infected with drug-resistant bacteria, and resistant organisms are increasingly found in the food supply [3].

Metal Ion Analysis For Use In Calculation Of Apparent Molar Volumes And Apparent Molar Heat Capacities Of Copper(Ii), Nickel(Ii), And Zinc(Ii) Nitrates, Eric Merkley, Dr. Earl M. Woolley

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Apparent molar heat capacity, Cp,f, and apparent molar volume, Vf, are valuable thermodynamic quantities in the study of solute-solvent interactions and chemical reactions in aqueous solutions. Work in our laboratory1-3 has demonstrated that fixed-cell differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and vibrating-tube densimetry can provide sensitive and accurate data for calculating Cp,f and Vf. We have recently collected data for solutions of copper(II) nitrate, nickel(II) nitrate, and zinc(II) nitrate. As for most compounds, there is a lack of Cp,f and Vf date for these heavy metal nitrates. Our measurements will allow calculation of Cp,f and Vf.

Ion Chromatographic Quantification Of Trace-Level Perchlorate Concentrations Using 18-Crown-6 As A Mobile-Phase Additive, David Simpson, Dr. John Lamb

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Awareness of the potential contamination issues with perchlorate ion (ClO4 -) came about in 1985 when the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) first reported contamination in 14 Californian wells ranging from 0.11 to 2.6 micrograms per liter (ppm).1 In 1992 the EPA issued a provisional reference dose (RfD) of 0.14 milligrams per kilogram per day, which set a standard of 18 parts per billion (ppb) in drinking water.2 However, in January 1997 the EPA indicated that a reporting limit of at least 4 ppb would be necessary; yet, procedures to measure perchlorate ion at such low levels were unavailable.3 By March …

Molecular Pathology Of Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Lipofuscin-Generated Apoptosis Of Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial (Rpe) Cells, Aaron Secrest, Dr. Craig Thulin

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible visual impairment in the elderly and is currently untreatable. In the central region of the posterior retina (the macula), AMD is caused by damage to and subsequent death of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and, consequently, the photoreceptors that are attached to them, leading to vision loss. The current thinking in the field of ophthalmology is that the eye cannot function efficiently after 50-60+ years of continuously repairing damage caused by exposure to high-energy photons from blue light. The increase in average human life span correlates with a higher prevalence …

Determination Of The Number Of Redox Sites In Mammalian Ferritin, Jason Kenealey, Dr. Gerald Watt

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Ferritin is a protein that facilitates iron metabolism in the body. Virtually all living organisms are dependent on ferritin for iron storage. It has been found in everything including animals, plants and bacteria. Ferritin is formed from 24 subunits, which are arranged to form a sphere with a hollow center. In mammals these subunits consist of two isomers: heavy and light, which are named so due to the difference in their molecular weight. In the center the iron is stored as ferric hydroxide. The mechanism of the iron deposition into the core is not well understood. A part of this …

Na,K-Atpase Expression In The Epithelial Layer Of The Lens, Karen Merrell, Dr. Steven W. Graves

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Na,K-ATPase is a multi-subunit protein that uses ATP to pump Na+ ions out of the cell and K+ ions into the cell. Multiple isoforms of each subunit of Na,K-ATPase have been identified, but the á subunit of Na,K-ATPase plays the most important functional role and has been the most widely studied. Within the lens, Na,K-ATPase is most concentrated in the outer epithelial layer. To study changes in Na,K-ATPase levels I cultured bovine lens epithelial cells (BLEC), and incubated them with various hormones. The abundance of the á3 isoform of Na,K-ATPase was determined by Western blot protein gel electrophoresis using specific …

The Effect Of Salt Concentrations On A. Vinelandii Nitrogenase, Clinton R. King, Dr. Gary D. Watt

Journal of Undergraduate Research

We are investigating the kinetic effect of salt concentration on the reaction N2 + (6+2n)H+ + (6+2n)e- + 2(6+2n)ATP ­ 2NH3 + nH2 + 2(6+2n)Pi + 2(6+2n)ADP (1) catalyzed by nitrogenase where the spontaneous decomposition of S2O4 2- is the electron source. Under high partial pressures of N2, n has a limiting value of one, but in the absence of N2, nitrogenase simply catalyzes the reduction of protons to H2.

Development Of A Cellular Model Expressing Cloned Hiv Env Genes, Jeffrey S. Johnson, Dr. Gregory F. Burton

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART), a treatment that uses protease inhibitors and nucleoside analogs to block replication of HIV, has had a marked effect on decreasing the viral loads of HIV in infected individuals. However, studies have indicated that if a patient receiving HAART for long periods of time (2 to 3 years) is taken off treatment, HIV levels in the blood will increase drastically within several weeks (2). This problem indicates that reservoirs in the body harbor the virus and protect it from treatment until conditions allow the virus to replicate unchecked throughout the body. The Follicular Dendritic Cell …

Regio- And Stereoselective Photochemical [2+2] Cycloaddition Between 4-Hydroxycoumarin And Alkenes, Scott Henneman, Dr. Steven A. Fleming

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Recent photochemical research has proven helpful in understanding the regio- and stereoselective mechanism of four-member ring formation. When compounds cycloadd— combine either inter- or intramolecularly to form rings—a broad assortment of isomers are generally formed. However, the regio- and stereoselectivity of the cycloaddition process—the tendency of the compounds to combine in specific ways, i.e. the preference for one product over another—can be greatly enhanced through the utilization of a tether group. This tether group can be anything used to control the reacting molecular components involved in a cycloaddition towards combination in a specific orientation. The regio- and stereoselectivity of the …

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

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

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 …

Cyclic Phosphonium Ionic Liquids, Sharon I. Lall-Ramnarine, Joshua A. Mukhlall, James F. Wishart, Robert R. Engel, Alicia R. Romeo, Masao Gohdo, Sharon Ramati, Marc B. Berman, Sophia N. Suarez

Publications and Research

Ionic liquids (ILs) incorporating cyclic phosphonium cations are a novel category of materials. We report here on the synthesis and characterization of four new cyclic phosphonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide ILs with aliphatic and aromatic pendant groups. In addition to the syntheses of these novel materials, we report on a comparison of their properties with their ammonium congeners. These exemplars are slightly less conductive and have slightly smaller self-diffusion coefficients than their cyclic ammonium congeners.

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.