As part of an HHMI funded research project, I showed that overexpression (OE) of actin (ACT2) in Arabidopsis thaliana alters the expression of genes involved in plant immunity. Others have previously shown that knockout (KO) mutants of actin depolymerizing factor 4 are affected in the same gene as ACT2-OE. For...
In this work, three isomeric forms of N, N'-diethyl, N, N'-ditolyldipicolinamide (EtTDPA) were synthesized. The elements thorium through americium, which make up a significant portion of the actinides in used nuclear fuel (with the exception of curium), and two fission products, molybdenum and technetium, were tested for their ability to...
Proteins are essential to all biological systems. Proteins participate in numerous cellular processes by interacting with other proteins, other metabolites and membranes in a dynamic environment. Studying the structural and conformational properties of proteins in the solution phase is necessary to understand their protein folding and interaction dynamics. This research...
Lycopodium alkaloids have generated enormous amounts of interest from the scientific community, both as synthetic targets and for their medicinal properties. Herein is described work towards a unifying approach to large segments of the Lycopodium family. An organocatalyzed intramolecular heteroatom Michael reaction method, for the construction of piperidine and piperizine...
A scalable synthesis of the "flat" tridecameric inorganic cluster [Al₁₃(μ₃-OH)₆(μ-OH)₁₈(H₂O)₂₄]¹⁵⁺ has been realized by treating an aqueous aluminum nitrate solution with zinc-metal powder at room temperature. Single crystals and polycrystalline samples are readily obtained in yields exceeding 55% relative to the starting reagent Al(NO₃)₃. Products have been characterized by X-ray...
Since their discovery in the 1990s, the great potential of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) has made them a focus of many research endeavors, including their application as components of biosensors. The inherent chemical "inertness" of CNTs makes their application to biosensing a challenge. It is necessary to "decorate" their surfaces to...
The synthesis of axially chiral polyfunctional derivatives of 8,8'-biquinolyl was explored and the catalytic action of appropriate derivative types investigated in three separate processes: (1) the silylcyanation of carbonyl groups and imines, (2) alkylation of a glycine Schiff-base via phase transfer-catalysis, and (3) direct amide bond formation from simple amines...
Natural products (secondary metabolites) are small organic molecules derived from plants, microbes, and marine organisms that have served as a diverse source of useful compounds pharmaceuticals. New biologically active natural products are critical as anti-infective and cancer drug leads. Cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, produce diverse cytotoxic metabolites that represent potential...
The trans-Pacific atmospheric transport of particulate matter (PM)-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to remote sites in western North America has been well documented and has triggered research questions regarding to atmospheric transformation of PM-bound PAHs and the potential impacts on human health from their inhalation exposure. In this dissertation, field...
The Institute of Medicine has identified Latino and American Indian populations as populations experiencing significant health and health care access inequities. Previous research indicates that Latinos and American Indians suffer from excess morbidity in respect to same-aged White adults due to higher rates of preventable chronic diseases (i.e. high blood...