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Research Interests of Participating Faculty
Melissa Golden, Chemistry.
We are pursuing three areas of bioinorganic research.
The first involves the development of model complexes for the most recently structurally
characterized nickel containing superoxide dismutase, NiSOD. Reactivity studies are
expected to provide insight as to how this enzyme avoids sulfur based oxygenation, the
mechanistic pathway, and conformational changes related to redox events. Understanding
the features necessary for SOD function will lead to better superoxide mimics for the
treatment of ailments such as those caused by oxygen-damaged tissue, Lou Gehrig’s disease,
and even the prevention of cancer. The second area of investigation is the mechanism by
which platinum antitumor drugs displace zinc in zinc finger proteins. By understanding
how metal ions are transferred, we can develop more effective antitumor agents. In
addition these studies are expected to yield insight into the maturation of active sites,
how they are poisoned by exogenous metals and possibly how to alleviate metal toxicity
by developing new chelation therapy agents or even alternatives to chelation therapy.
The third area addresses the construction of modified electrodes as a new separation
technique. By immobilizing a natural metal scavenger, such as metallothionein proteins,
we may be able to selectively sequester toxic metals where they bioaccumulate in the body.
Students will be vital to the collection and interpretation of data. They will use inert
atmosphere techniques as well as several spectroscopic techniques fro characterizing and
monitoring chemical reactions.
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