Summer 2007 Student Research
1) Jennifer Achtyl - Synthesis of a Ruthenium Polypyridyl Complex for Kinetics Studies
2) Andrew Chapp - Preparation of Novel Cyanoguanidine-based Analogs of Known Vanilloid Receptor (VR1) Ligands.
3) Shreya Kamath (SLU Fellow): Investigating and Comparing the Occurrence of Alkaloid Leaching in Coptis Trifolia and Hydrastis Canadensis (with Dr. Skeels & Dr. Pai).
4) Tim Kilimo (ISEI/Wachtmeister grant): Continuation of Long-Term Monitoring for Air and Aquatic Environments in the Little River Watershed (with Dr. Ning Gao).
5) Mukhaye Muchimuti (Merck Fellow): Variation of the Isoquinoline Alkaloids in the Genus Coptis (with Dr. Matt Skeels).
6) Kelly O'Connell (SLU Fellow): Determining the Mechanism of Binding of Rpd3p to the Promoter Region of GAP1 upon Starvation (with Dr. Emily Dixon).
7) Michael Seaman (SLU Fellow): Utilizing Intrinsic Tryptophan Fluorescence in the Androgen Receptor: Searching for an Intermediate in the Ligand Binding Process (with Dr. Matt Skeels).
8) Marcus Tuttle (Clark Fund): Sulphur-based Mettallacrowns (with Dr. Neil Law).
Title: Synthesis of a Ruthenium Polypyridyl Complex for Kinetics
Studies
Student: Jennifer Achtyl
Mentor: Dr. Glazier
Funding: SLU Fellowship
Abstract : Dimer complexes show potential to be effective anticancer therapeutics because
they exhibit large DNA binding constants and long residence times. The previously
reported dimer reported by Chaires et al. consists of two ruthenium polypyridyl
centers attached via a water soluble amide linker. This complex has been identified
to thread between the base pairs of DNA, but kinetics studies have not yet been
reported. Synthesis of the linker involved two initial reactions: SeO2 with
4-5-dimethy-o-phenylenediamine and 1,4-diaminobutane with methylcyanoacetate.
The last step in the reaction scheme is the complexation of [Ru(phen)2(phendione)]2+
with the amide linker. Several steps in the long synthesis were successful this
summer including product characterization by melting point, IR, and 1H-NMR.
Upon successful synthesis of the dimer we plan to use stopped-flow-spectrometry
to study the DNA binding kinetics.
Title: Preparation of Novel Cyanoguanidine-based Analogs of Known Vanilloid Receptor (VR1) Ligands.
Student: Andrew Chapp
Mentor: Dr. French
Funding: Merck/AAAS grant
Andrew Chapp '08 and Professor Larry French explored the preparation of novel cyanoguanidine-based analogs of known vanilloid receptor (VR1) ligands. Designed for potential analgesic activity, these substances can potentially mimic or block the activity of compounds such as capsaicin (red pepper) at these ion channels. Project collaborators Kadine Hamilton '08 and Professor Ana Estevez in the Biology Department worked on the development of nematode behavioral assays for agonism and antagonism of these compounds in transgenic C. elegans expressing the rat VR1 ion channel. Both projects received suuport from a Merck/AAAS grant for research at the interface of chemistry and biology. This award will make similar experiences for students possible in the summers of 2008 and 2009. Both students intend to further pursue this research in their Senior Year Experience projects.