DED UN 18 O 98
F
N
Y
O
T
R
E I
T
H C
E O
A S
S L T A E C R I N M S E E H C C TI N O CA September 2007 Vol. LXXXVI, No. 1 N • AMERI
Monthly Meeting Education Night Medicinal Chemistry Symposium May 10, 2007 Needhamite Trains for John LaMattina Bike-a-thon Honored by UNH By Steven Ryan By Debra JohnyBear CONNECTIONS TO CHEMISTRY 2007
The Northeastern Section of the American Chemical Society (NESACS) and the Education Committee of the Northeastern Section invite high school chemistry teachers to a program at Burlington High School (Burling- ton, MA) on Wednesday, October 17th, 3:30 – 8:00 PM. This program will help connect high school teachers with the numerous education resources that are available from the American Chemical Society. The following workshops will illustrate some of these resources: • The Chemistry in Discrepant Events: They’re Not gestions will be made for helping students prepare for What You Think! With Steve Lantos, Faculty, Brook- these careers. (Workshop C) line High School. A number of chemical observations • Chemistry beyond the Classroom with Terri Taylor, seem to defy our intuition, sense of what ‘should’ hap- Manager, Office of High School Chemistry, Education pen, and why. Explore these discrepant events in an Division, ACS, Washington, DC. High school chem- inquiry-based format with hypotheses and experimen- istry clubs are a great way to expose your students to tation. (Workshop A) chemistry beyond the classroom. This workshop will • Fuels from Renewable Sources with John Duffy, provide information on the ACS High School Chem- Mechanical Engineer, University of Massachusetts istry Clubs program, its features, and how you can Lowell. Compare representative fuels from renewable successfully start and/or continue a chemistry club at sources based on environmental impact, suitability for your school. (Workshop D) end uses (transportation, buildings...), energy density • Team Science with David Cunningham, Webmaster by weight and mass, cost, safety, and sustainability. for NESACS. Computer data analysis can create Hands-on experiments with photovoltaic-powered order out of chaos. Web based programs can be used hydrogen model cars with electrolyzers and fuel cells. to create plots and graphs to analyze data. Students (Workshop B) can be organized into groups to do experiments with a • The Chemistry Is Right with Mukund S Chorghade, range of variables. Computers and technology can be President, Chorghade Enterprise / THINQ Pharma. used by students to coordinate data collection, and to The theme of this year’s National Chemistry Week is use graphics and data plotting for the presentation of “The Many Faces of Chemistry” Explore the many their data. Students can see a bigger picture, can learn diverse areas of chemistry and the opportunities avail- to spot errors, and can have a positive experience see- able using chemistry in non-traditional careers. Sug- ing developing trends. (Workshop E) Program 3:30 – 4:00 Registration and Refreshments 4:00 – 4:25 Welcome and Overview 4:30 – 6:10 Four Simultaneous 45 Minute Workshops Presented in Each Session: Session I: 4:30 – 5:15 Workshops A & B & C & D Session II: 5:25 – 6:10 Workshops A & B & C & D And One 90 minute Computer Workshop: 4:30 – 6:10 (Sessions I and II: 4:30 – 6:10): Workshop E 6:15 – 8:00 Dinner and Address Address: Drug Design from Bench Top to Bedside Lori Krim Gavrin, Research Scientist, Chemical and Screening Sciences, Wyeth Research • The deadline for registration is Friday, October 12th. The registration fee is $20.00 and is non-refundable after October 10th. Workshop and program-related materials, dinner, a one-year subscription to ChemMatters, and a certificate for three hours of Professional Development will be provided to all workshop participants. • The registration form can be obtained from the NESACS Web site
2 The Nucleus September 2007 The Northeastern Section of the American Chemical Society, Inc. Contents Office: Marilou Cashman, 23 Cottage St., Natick, MA 01360. 1-800-872-2054 Connections to Chemistry 2007 2 (Voice or FAX) or 508-653-6329. ______e-mail: mcash0953(at)aol.com Nominations 4 Any Section business may be conducted ______via the business office above. NESACS Homepage: Esselen Award and Richards Medal Award http://www.NESACS.org Monthly Meeting 5 Sathish Rangarajan, Webmaster ______ACS Hotline, Washington, D.C.: Medicinal Chemistry Symposium: Building Bridges between the Pharmaceutical 1-800-227-5558 Industry and Academia - A New Paradigm for Drug Discovery Officers 2007 Needhamite Trains for Bike-a-thon While Battling Cancer 6 Chair: ______Mukund Chorghade A reprint from the Needham Times by Steven Ryan 14 Carlson Circle, Natick, MA 01360 508-651-7809 and 308-3891 Announcements 7 Chorghade(at)comcast.net ______Chair-Elect: Grants-in-Aid to Undergraduates, Environmental Research Symposium, YCC Marietta Schwartz Exchange to Germany Chemistry Department, Umass-Boston Boston, MA 02125 Education Night 8 617-287-6146; marietta.schwartz(at)umb.edu ______Immediate Past Chair: May 10, 2007 Patricia Mabrouk National Chemistry Week Events 9 Chemistry Department, Northeastern University ______Boston, MA 02115 John LaMattina Honored by UNH 10 613-373-2845; p.mabrouk(at)neu.edu ______Secretary: By Debra JohnyBear Michael Singer Sigma-Aldrich Board of Directors - April Minutes 11 3 Strathmore Rd., Natick, MA 01360 ______508-651-8151X291; msinger(at)sial.com Summerthing 2007 16 Treasurer: ______James Piper By Michael Singer 19 Mill Rd., Harvard, MA 01451 March Meeting Photos by Morton Hoffman 16 978-456-3155, piper28(at)attglobal.net ______Auditor: Cover: Anthony Rosner (l-r) James Fabiano (Newmarket (NH) Junior-Senior High School), Archivist: recipient of the Theodore William Richards Award for Excellence in Teaching of Myron S. Simon 20 Somerset Rd. Secondary School Chemistry; Kristin Kiefaber (Newmarket (NH) Jtounior-Sen- Newton, MA 02465; 617-332-5273 ior High School); Scott Weber (Newmarket (NH) Junior-Senior High School); Romysimon(at)mindspring.com Steve Lantos (Brookline (MA) High School), NESACS High School Education Trustees: Committee Chair. (Photo by Morton Z. Hoffman) Joseph A. Lima, Esther A. H. Hopkins, Deadines: Michael E. Strem November 2007 Issue: September 14, 2007 Councilors Alternate Councilors Term Ends 12/31/2007 December 2007 Issue: October 12, 2007 Thomas R. Gilbert Arlene W. Light Michael J. Hearn Timothy B. Frigo Michael Singer Mary Mahaney Pamela Nagafuji Mark Froimowitz Term Ends 12/31/2008 Doris I. Lewis Patrick M. Gordon The Nucleus is published monthly, except June and August by the Northeastern Section of the American Morton Z. Hoffman Michael P. Filosa Chemical Society, Inc. Forms close for advertising on the 1st of the month of the preceding issue. Text Christine Jaworek-Lopes Lawrence Scott Mary Burgess Liming Shao must be received by the editor six weeks before the date of issue. Donald O. Rickter S.B. Rajur Editor: Michael P. Filosa, Ph.D., editor, ZINK Imaging LLC, 1265 Main Street, Term Ends 12/31/2009 Waltham, MA 02451 Email: Michael.Filosa(at)zink.com; Tel: 781-386-8479. Catherine Costello Julia H.Miwa Associate Editors: Myron S. Simon, 20 Somerset Rd., W. Newton, MA 02465, Tel: 617-332-5273 Patricia Mabrouk Alfred Viola Sheila E Rodman, Konarka Techologies Inc., 116 John St. Suite 12, Lowell, MA Michaeline F. Chen Jerry P. Jasinski 01852 email:srodman(at)konarka.com tel 978-569-1414 Dorothy J. Phillips Eva B. Binnun Amy Tapper Barney Grubbs Board of Publications: Vivian K. Walworth (Chair), Mary Mahaney, David Cunningham Business Manager: Karen Piper, 19 Mill Rd., Harvard, MA 01451, Tel: 978-456-8622 All Chairs of standing Advertising Manager: Vincent J. Gale, P.O. Box 1150, Marshfield, MA 02050, Committees, the editor Tel: 781-837-0424; FAX: 781-837-1453 of THE NUCLEUS, and Contributing Editors: Morton Hoffman, Feature Editor; Dennis Sardella, Book Reviews the Trustees of Section Calendar Coordinator: Sheila Rodman, email: srodman(at)konarka.com Funds are members of the Photographers: Morton Z. Hoffman and James Phillips Board of Directors. Any Councilor of the American Chemical Society Proofreaders: Donald O. Rickter, Myron S. Simon, Vivian K. Walworth, E. Joseph Billo residing within the section area is an ex officio Webpage: Webmaster: David Cunningham, david_cunningham(at)uml.edu member of the Board of Directors. Copyright 2007, Northeastern Section of the American Chemical Society, Inc. The Nucleus September 2007 3 Nominations Corporate Patrons and Golf Iridium Astra Zeneca R&D Boston Gustavus John Esselen Award for Chemistry Genzyme Drug Discovery & Dev in the Public Interest Hovione The Northeastern Section (NESACS) is inviting nominations for its prestigious IBM Gustavus John Esselen Award for Chemistry in the Public Interest. This award is IRIX Pharmaceuticals given annually to a chemical scientist, whose scientific and technical work has Johnson-Matthey Pharma Solutions Lyophilization Service of New England contributed to the public well-being and has thereby communicated the positive Merck values of the chemical profession. The significance of this work should have Phasex Corporation become apparent within the five years preceding nomination. The awardee shall Sepracor be a living resident of the United States or Canada at the time of the nomination. Strem Chemicals, Inc. There is no limitation to the field of chemistry. The selection committee Zone Enterprises focuses on the general public recognition of the work, as well as its Corporate Sponsors and Golf scientific/technical significance. Rhodium The Award consists of a bronze medal and the sum of $5,000. Travel Aerodyne Research, Inc. expenses incidental to the conferring of the award will be reimbursed. The award Cambridge Isotope Laboratories will be presented at the April 2008 meeting of the Section. The Awardee is Cambridge Major Laboratories expected to deliver an address related to the work for which the honor is con- New England BioLabs, Inc. ferred. Pfizer Nominations shall include the names of two co-sponsors, a biography of the Sigma-RBI nominee, a description of the work which has been recognized as communicating Shasun Pharma Solutions the positive values of the chemical profession, along with copies of pertinent arti- Donors and Golf Tungsten cles and popular news and feature articles indicative of public interest. Joint nom- Consulting Resources Corp. inations are acceptable. Further information is available at www.nesacs.org. Dishman Pharmaceuticals and Chemicals Limited Nominations Are Due October 15, 2007. Houghton Chemical Company Award recipients will be notified by February 1, 2008. Organix, Inc. Vertex Nominations shall be directed to: Mr. Joseph A. Lima, c/o Karen Piper 19 Mill Rd., Harvard, MA 01451. Inquiries may be made to Joseph Lima, Tel. (617) 254-1010; e-mail: [email protected] or Karen Piper: Tel. (978) 456-8622 e-mail: [email protected] Dorothy Richards Medal Award Phillips Nominations are invited for the 2008 Theodore William Richards Medal Award for conspicuous achievement in any area of chemistry. The Northeastern Section of the American Chemical Society awards the Richards Medal, honoring Amer- Elected ica’s first chemistry Nobel laureate and initially presented in 1932, every two years. Chair of The medal was last presented in 2006 to Professor Richard Schrock of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The next presentation will be made in March of 2008. Analytical A nomination package consists of a brief curriculum vitae, a list of up to twenty citations for key publications, and a clear and concise nomination letter Division outlining the nominee’s “conspicuous achievements in chemistry.” These materi- als must be submitted electronically in a single Adobe® PDF format file to: Professor Gary R. Weisman The current chair, Laurie Locasio, of Department of Chemistry, University of New Hampshire the Analytical Division of the Ameri- Durham, New Hampshire 03824-3598 can Chemical Society has informed [email protected] long-time NESACS Councilor and Board Member, Dorothy Phillips that Nominations must be received by November 1, 2007. Nominators are respon- she is the Chair-Elect for 2008. She sible to confirm receipt of their e-mail nomination package. will be chair of the Analytical Division For additional information contact: Gary R. Weisman, phone: 603-862-2304; fax: in 2009. Our congratulations to Dorothy N N 603-862-4278; email: [email protected] for her achievement.
4 The Nucleus September 2007 Monthly Meeting Speakers Tom Large Ph. D. The 880th Meeting of the Northeastern Section of the American (VP of Discovery, Sepracor Inc.) Chemical Society Biography Symposium: Building Bridges etween the Pharmaceutical Tom Large joined Sepracor Inc. in Industry and Academia – A New Paradigm for Drug Discovery early 2007 as Vice President of Drug Discovery. The therapeutic focus of Organized by the Medicinal Chemistry Group of NESACS the group is neuropsychiatric and neu- Thursday – September 20th, 2007 rological diseases, including depres- Holiday Inn in Woburn, 15 Middlesex Canal Park Road, Woburn, MA sion, schizophrenia, anxiety, insomnia and pain. Prior to joining Sepracor, Symposium Program Tom was a scientific leader and man- 2:45 pm Refreshments ager for 8 years at Eli Lilly in the areas of neuroscience and molecular phar- 3:00 pm Welcome macology. Tom led several discovery Liming Shao, Ph. D., (Chair, Medicinal Chemistry Group, NESACS) projects that resulted in clinical candi- 3:05 pm Introductory Remarks & Moderator dates for anxiety, psychosis and pain. Tom Large, Ph. D., (VP, Drug Discovery, Sepracor Inc.) When Lilly underwent a major re- structuring of the Discovery Therapeu- 3:20 pm New Frontiers in Exploratory and Early Drug Discovery Research: A tic areas, Tom moved to a management Hybrid Academic/Industrial Approach, David Weaver, Ph. D., position responsible for a group devel- (Director, New Leads Discovery, Vanderbilt Program in Drug Dis- oping innovative approaches to the covery, Vanderbilt University) major drug target classes – kinases, 4:05 pm Opportunities and Challenges for Medicinal Chemistry in Academic receptor and NHRs. Tom’s academic Drug Discovery, Greg Cuny, Ph. D., (Director, Laboratory for Drug training was at Northwestern Univ. Discovery in Neurodegeneration, Harvard Medical School) where he received his PhD in Neurobi- ology/Physiology. After a Howard 4:50 pm In Vivo Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in Drug Discovery and Hughes postdoctoral fellowship at Development, Perry F. Renshaw, MD, Ph. D. (Principal Investiga- UCSF, he became a faculty member of tor/Program Director, McLean Hospital Brain Imaging Center, Har- the Department of Neurosciences at vard University) Case Western Reserve University 5:40 pm Social Hour Medical School. Tom has maintained 6:30 pm Dinner a strong interest in improving the translation of basic science discoveries 7:45 pm Opportunities for Translational Research in Chemical Biology and into therapies that help patients. As Drug Discovery, Iwao Ojima, Ph. D., (Distinguished Professor and part of his current role, he is facilitat- Director, Institute of Chemical Biology & Drug Discovery, State Uni- ing Sepracor’s interactions with aca- versity of New York at Stony Brook) demic groups to inject new ideas, Dinner reservations should be made no later than 12:00 noon on Thursday, Sep- targets and technologies into the phar- maceutical drug discovery enterprise. tember 13, 2007. If you prefer to pay at the door, please contact Marilou Cash- Abstract man at (800)872-2054 or (508)653-6329 or [email protected] Reservations not canceled at least 24 hours in advance must be paid. Members, $28; Non-mem- Introductory Remarks bers, $30; Retirees, $15; Students, $10. Anyone who needs handicapped serv- Academia and the pharmaceutical ices/transportation, please call a few days in advance so that suitable industry have shared an important rela- arrangements can be made. tionship over the past decades, Directions to Holiday Inn Hotel (http://www.radison.com/woburnma whereby basic discoveries from aca- A. From Boston-Cambridge-Points North: Take Route I-93 to Route 95/128 demic centers form much of the scien- South. After one mile, take Exit 35 South to Route 38 (Main Street) *After tific foundation for drug discovery and about 500 feet at the traffic light, turn right into Middlesex Canal Street to the development by pharmaceutical com- hotel entrance. panies. Two trends have emerged in B. From the West: Take Route 95/128 North to Exit 35 South (Route 38-Main the past 10 years: greatly increased Street. Follow the directions from * above. NIH support for translational medicine THE PUBLIC IS INVITED within academic centers and the criti- cal need within pharma to improve Continued on page 14 The Nucleus September 2007 5 Needhamite Trains for Bike-a-thon While Battling Cancer
This article is reprinted in its entirety “On August 4, I’ll be on that bike, even a while after each workout.” with permission of the Needham Times if they might have to put me on a truck When in good condition, Chen and reporter Steven Ryan. It was first and take me to the finish line,” Chen said she does short rides during the published in the June 21, 2007 issue of said. week and takes long bikes on the week- the Needham Times. Pamela Chen is Her training has been a struggle. end. She also does weekly strength the daughter of long-time NESACS She has battled the fatigue that comes training and tries to run three times a Board Member, Michaeline Chen. The with chemotherapy and ailments week. Nucleus plans to report on Pamela’s caused by the cancer. Chen said she Chen, who never rode more than ride and those of other NESACS mem- minimizes the pain medications she 75 miles before, decided she was going bers in the October Issue. Information takes in order to stay as alert as possi- to do the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge, on how to support Pamela’s fundrais- ble during training. She was recently in which raises money for the Jimmy ing effort and help her reach “heavy the hospital for kidney failure. Fund and cancer research, after her hitter” status is at the end of the article. “Every day, you don’t know what friend, Cynthia Null, rode in her honor By Steven Ryan you’ll get,” she said. “I didn’t know last year. Null, who is close friends Needham - I’ll be alive or not, never mind properly with Chen’s sister, Carolyn Lueders, trained. I haven’t been on a bike for a described the Pan-Massachusetts as a Pamela Chen no longer wants to know month. It’s catch-up time, now the kid- challenge, even for those in good the odds, because she has already ney failure has been addressed.” health. beaten them. Diagnosed with pancre- Last weekend, Chen got back on “She’s such a trooper,” said Null, atic cancer almost a year ago, Chen the saddle, finally being able to ride who is riding in the Pan-Massachusetts outlived her doctors’ expectations and her bike and resume that part of her Challenge for the 14th year. “In many is training to ride 84 miles in the two- training. ways, the Pan-Mass is the dessert. The day Pan-Massachusetts Challenge “It’s amazing how good I feel work is the hours and hours and days bike-a-thon in August, despite still liv- when I get on the bike or run,” Chen and days of training. It’s the same type ing with the terminal illness. said. “It seems to diminish my pain for of challenge cancer gives her. It is a day-to-day grind for [people with can- cer] and their families.” “It planted in my mind that if I live to ride the Pan-Massachusetts Chal- lenge, I’ll do it,” she said. “I want to do this for myself and to give back to Dana-Farber and cancer research.” Chen, who already reached her fundraising goal of $2,600, said she hopes to raise even more money in order to become one of the “heavy hit- ters” among riders. Chen was 41 when she was diag- nosed. She never imagined she would face cancer at such a young age, noting that she was highly active and per- fectly healthy for most of her life. She unofficially ran the Boston Marathon two short years ago. She was on a trip to China, where she walked the Great Wall, when she noticed something was wrong. “I had never been sick my whole life,” she said. “I never had to see the doctor for anything. But I began to feel back, shoulder and abdominal pain. I Continued on page 16
6 The Nucleus September 2007 Grants-in-Aid Save the Preliminary to Under - Date! Announce - graduates 6th Annual Undergraduate ment Environmental Research To Attend the 235th ACS Symposium YCC/NESACS–JCF/GDCh National Meeting in Saturday, November 10, 2007 Exchange to Germany New Orleans, Louisiana Bridgewater State College March 25–April 2, 2008 April 6 – 10, 2008 Undergraduate research posters The Younger Chemists Committee The Northeastern Section of the Amer- (including completed, in progress, and (YCC) of the Northeastern Section and ican Chemical Society (NESACS) will proposed research) in all environmen- the NESACS Education Committee provide Grants-in Aid of $350 to each tal disciplines are welcome. will sponsor an exchange of graduate of four undergraduates to attend the Please email Ed Brush and undergraduate students to Ger- 235th ACS National Meeting in New (ebrush(at)bridgew.edu) to add your many as the guests of the Jungchemik- Orleans, Louisiana and to present a name to our email distribution list. A erforum (JCF) of the Gesellschaft formal “Call for Abstracts” will be sent paper at the Undergraduate Research N Deutscher Chemiker (GDCh). The Poster Session in the Division of electronically in September. visit to Germany will take place March Chemical Education. The institutions 25-April 2, 2008. Application forms will be available on the YCC of the successful applicants are Notification: Applicants will be noti- expected to match the award.
The Nucleus September 2007 7 Education Night – May 10, 2007
Kevin Cardozo (Phillips (l-r) Pam Mabrouk Academy), at right, an (Northeastern Univer- inductee into the Aula sity), NESACS Immedi- Laudis Society, with ate Past-Chair; Steve David Olney, Aula Jones (Sepracor), fea- Laudis Committee tured speaker. Chair.
The High School Awards Project Seed Forty-Ninth Annual Avery A. Ashdown Stonehill College High School Examination Contest - Award Winners Mentor: Dr. Cheryl Schnitzer Sabianca Delva Randolph High School STUDENT SCHOOL TEACHER Stonehill College First Place - The Simmons College Award Mentor: Dr. Louis Liotta Dianne J. Xiao Acton-Boxborough Carol Murphree Diane Deng Randolph High School Second Place (tie) Nurbaity Faris Randolph High School Matthew J. Curtis Acton-Boxborough Carol Murphree Alvin Kerber Sharon HS Shawn Kenner The College and University Awards Fourth Place Sway Chen Lexington HS Parul Kumar Fifth Place (tie) Logan W. Clark Acton-Boxborough Carol Murphree Charles J. Lee Acton-Boxborough Carol Murphree Stephen Xu Lexington HS Parul Kumar Honorable Mention - First Year Ethan Cecchetti Lexington HS Janice Compton Anji Tang Belmont HS Jeff Bigler Adhvait M. Shah Burlington HS Peter Nassiff Kwon-Yong Jin Phillips Academy Javier Horta Yuejuan Lin (University of Massachusetts Dartmouth), at center, receiving John Kye Cambridge Rindge & Latin Edward McGillicuddy the Philip L. Levins Memorial Prize from Michael Hearn (Wellesley Honorable Mention - Second Year College), a NESACS Past-Chair, at right. Looking on proudly is Yuegang Zuo, Ms. Lin’s graduate research advisor. Jake X. Wang Wayland HS Jay Chandler Brittany Fay Concord-Carlisle Michael Vela The Philip Levins Memorial Prize Daphne Y. Xiao Acton-Boxborough Carol Murphree Jennifer Schloss Concord-Carlisle Michael Vela University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Ken Schumacher Andover HS Leo Lafond Yuejuan Lin Dr. Yuegang Zuo, Advisor James R. Foster Phillips Academy Yuko Hori 2007 Undergraduate Research Scholars The Theodore William Richards Award James Flack Norris For Excellence in the Teaching and Of Secondary School Chemistry Theodore William Richards Scholars James Fabiano Newmarket (NH) Jr.-Sr. High School Aula Laudis Society Boston College Ryan Patrick Heney Dr. Evan R. Kantrowitz, Advisor Gina Bergskaug Hollis-Brookline High School – Hollis, NH Proposed Synthesis of New Inhibitors of Fructose 1.6-biphosphatase Kevin Cardozo Phillips Academy / Andover, MA Dartmouth College James Miller Bishop Brady High School, Concord, NH Jiajia Cui Dr. Dean Wilcox, Advisor Special Recognition Nickel Binding Properties of the Histidine-Rich Carboxyl Tail Region Judith Kelley - Honorary Retired - University of Massachusetts Lowell UreE Protein
8 The Nucleus September 2007 National Chemistry Week Events Celebrating The Many Faces of Chemistry & 20 Years of NCW October 21, 2007 – Museum of Science Boston Phyllis A. Brauner Memorial Lecture by Dr. Bassam Margaret Thompson (Wellesley College), at center, a NESACS Undergrad- Shakhashiri uate Research Scholar, with David Haines, her research advisor, at left, Dr. Bassam Shakhashiri is a Professor of Chemistry at the and Ruth Tanner (University of Massachusetts Lowell), NESACS Educa- University of Wisconsin-Madison and is the William T. tion Committee Chair. Evjue Distinguished Chair for the Wisconsin Idea. Profes- Massachusetts Institute of Technology sor Shakhashiri has captivated audiences with his scientific Stephen Fried Prof. Daniel Nocera, Advisor demonstrations at a variety of locations including Boston’s Cofacial Catalysis for Oxygen-Oxygen Bond Formation Museum of Science, the National Academy of Sciences and the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in Wellesley College Washington. Taking place in Cahners Theatre (2nd floor, Margaret Winkler Thompson Dr. David Haines, Advisor Blue Wing) at 1 pm and at 3 pm. Synthesis of azide-labeled reverse agonists of the glucagons-like peptide 1 Receptor and characterization of receptor-reverse agonist binding Kicking off National Chemistry Week 2007 festivities Join us in a variety of hands-on activities related to the NESACS Undergraduate Grants-in-Aid yearly theme. Taking place from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm on October 21, 2007 in the lower level of the Blue Wing. October 27, 2007 – Boston Children’s Museum From 11 am – 4 pm, NCW volunteers will be on-hand throughout the museum to perform demonstrations and assist in hands-on activities related to the yearly theme September 15 – October 10, 2007 K-12 students participate in the NCW poster competition. Visit www.nesacs.org and http://www.chemistry.org/portal/ a/c/s/1/acsdisplay.html?DOC=ncw\ncw_index.html for more information. Todd Andrade (University of Massachusetts Dartmouth), at center, recipi- ent of a NESACS Undergraduate Grant-in-Aid, with Donald Boerth, his October 21 – 27, 2007 research advisor, at left, and Ruth Tanner (University of Massachusetts Grades 1-12 may participate in the puzzle contest. See Lowell), NESACS Education Committee Chair. www.nesacs.org or the October 2007 issue of the Nucleus N for the puzzles and contest information. Boston College Richard K. Hughes, Jr. Dr. Lawrence T. Scott, Advisor Towards the Synthesis of Arm-Chair Carbon Nanotubes Dr. Phyllis A. Brauner Memorial Book Award Bridgewater State College Taryn Palluccio Dr. Stephen Waratuke, Advisor Hydroaminations with Alkynes, Enynes, and Dienes Using Titanium Catalysts Paresh Agarwal (M.I.T.), Massachusetts Institute of Technology winner of the Dr. Phyllis Chaoyuan Kuang Dr. Graham Walker, Advisor A. Brauner Memorial Regulation of Activity of E.coli Proteins UmuC and UmuD Book Award, with Kathy Brauner, at right, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology Hyacinth Brauner. Paresh Agarwal Prof. Christopher Cummins, Advisor An Isolable and Monomeric Phosphorus Radical that is Resonance- Stabilized by the Vanadium(IV/V) Redox Couple University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Massachusetts Institute of Technology Todd Andrade Dr. Donald W. Boerth, Advisor N DNA Adduct Formation from Interaction with Pesticides in Plants Paresh Agarwal Prof. Christopher Cummins, Advisor
The Nucleus September 2007 9 John LaMattina Honored at UNH Commencement
By Debra JohnyBear May 19th, 2007 LaMattina and Thom- son received an Honorary Doctor of Science in front of a crowd of more than 22,000 graduates, alumni, family and friends. During a reception provided by the UNH Chemistry Department in his honor, Dr. John LaMattina did not say much about his own significant accom- plishments and contributions to soci- John LaMattina receives his honorary degree. ety. Rather with energy and a sparkle Bill Clinton and John LaMattina. Photo cour- Photo courtesy of the University of New Hamp- tesy of the University of New Hampshire. shire in his eye he elaborated on what a great thrill it was to return to UNH and DURHAM, N.H. - Joining the distin- meet up with his faculty advisor, men- the way from San Antonio, Texas to be guished company of former presidents tor and biggest influence, UNH Chem- here! It has been my life work to emu- George H. W. Bush and William J. istry Professor Emeritus Bob Lyle. late Dr. Lyle’s example.” Clinton are UNH College of Engineer- LaMattina continued, “Professor Lyle Dr. John L. LaMattina is Senior ing and Physical Sciences alumni John kindly and generously treats students Vice President, Pfizer Inc and Presi- LaMattina ‘75 and James Thomson like grownups, allowing remarkable dent, Pfizer Global Research and ‘67. The UNH Honorary Degrees and freedom along with providing remark- Development. In this role, Dr. LaMat- Awards Committee (a faculty and stu- able guidance. His door actually was tina oversees the drug discovery and dent group) recommended LaMattina open and we his students knew it was development efforts of over 13,000 and Thomson based upon their distin- open at all times throughout our lives. colleagues in the United States, Europe guished service in public policy. On Just look at tonight where he came all and Asia. LaMattina graduated cum laude from Boston College in 1971 with a B.S. in Chemistry. He attended UNH working with Professor Robert E. Lyle and received a Ph.D. from UNH in Organic Chemistry in 1975. He then moved on to Princeton Uni- versity as a National Institutes of Health Postdoctoral Fellow in the labo- ratory of Professor E. C. Taylor. Honorary Degrees are awarded to individuals of national and/or interna- tional importance whose contributions have enhanced society as a whole, or who have otherwise brought signifi- cant enrichment or benefit to particular groups. Nominees may include (but are not limited to) alumni, university benefactors, and citizens of the State of New Hampshire. This article is reprinted in part with permission of the University of New Hampshire and Debra JohnyBear. The original article with many photos is available on-line at http:// www.ceps.unh.edu/news/releases07/CE N PSalumniRecognition.html
10 The Nucleus September 2007 tioners of the discipline. A vendor ready for voting on the next Council Board of show was well attended and appreci- Meeting in Boston. ated. The symposium was co- spon- From the Membership Affair Directors sored by the US (East Coast) Section Committee, a white paper was pre- of the RSC, and IUPAC. Represented sented at the Admissions Committee. on the organizing committee were sci- ACS is broadening the society’s mem- April Minutes entists from many of the Pharma com- bership requirement: Members in Attendance: J. Billo, M. panies in our area. We have thus built • In order to include more scientists Chen, M. Chorghade, C. Costello, M. a nucleus for the future. and engineers working on the Filosa, T. Frigo, M. Hearn, M. Hoff- Planning for ACS collaboration boundaries of Chemical Science or man, D. Lewis, M. Schwartz, P. with the Indian Chemical Society and Engineering and using chemical Mabrouk, D. Phillips, J. Piper, D. the hosting of ACS Prospectives con- techniques in their everyday work, Rickter, R. Scannell, L. Shao, M. ferences in India are in full swing even though they may not have held Singer, M. Strem, R. Tanner, and V. The symposium honoring Ted and a degree in a chemical science or Walworth. Arlene Light has now been organized engineering The meeting was called to order at for the Tuesday of the Boston meeting. • To make society more welcome to 4:35 PM with M. Chorghade in the The confirmed speakers are 1) Elaine multi-disciplinary scientists and Chair. Diggs-ACS HQ 2) John Sophos -ACS international Scientists, who are not HQ 3) Dan Eustace -NESACS. 4) Jim The March 2007 meeting minutes were qualified for member status, could Burke -former ACS Board Chair. I approved with minor typographical become Society Affiliate (change will inaugurate the symposium with a corrections. from National Affiliate to Society few words and pass the floor to Elaine Affiliate, since communication sys- Chair: M. Chorghade (written and and John to trace the history of career tem has drastically improved, soci- oral) services and Ted and Arlene’s involve- ety has no boundary). Jin Ji has resigned as chair of the ment in it. Dan Eustace, Jim Burke Speakers Bureau. She is willing to and I will speak. Ray O’Donnell has • Change Student Affiliate to Student remain in the committee. suggested that his words of tribute to Membership, it automatically The inaugural “Advances in Ted and Arlene come during the award become Regular Member to elimi- Chemical Sciences Symposium” con- function nate Associate Membership. ference held at the Royal Sonesta We were unfortunately not suc- I attended the following meetings Hotel, Cambridge, MA on March 30, cessful in securing a commitment of 2007 was a spectacular success. Under and receptions: Open meeting on the ACS-IAC to combine the ACS “Budget and Finance”, District I Coun- the auspices of these conferences, emi- reception with our German Exchange nent scientists from the strategic triad cilor Caucus, Town Hall Meeting, and reception. Symposia on “Women Achieving Suc- of government and industry and acade- I attended the ACS meeting in mia delivered plenary lectures. The cess”. The Chinese American Chemi- Chicago and had the singular pleasure cal Society Banquet, International conference brought together 200+ sci- of presenting the Norris award to a entists, 19 vendors and 9 corporate Activities reception, The ACS National most distinguished recipient-Professor Award Dinner. sponsors for a scholarly event focusing Ben Feringa on medicinal chemistry, organic syn- Expressed condolences to Mary D. Rickter thesis and methodology. This year’s Burgess on the passing of her brother. Attended the CCAS executive plenary lecturers included Robert Flowers have been sent on behalf of meeting as an Associate on Friday Grubbs (Caltech), Eric Jacobsen (Har- the section. evening. The CAS staff presented vard), Steven Ley (Cambridge), Tomi reports of its outstanding successes and Sawyer (Pfizer Research Technology Treasurer: J. Piper current issues of pricing. The open Center), William Greenlee (Schering March 2007 treasurer’s report was meeting on Monday was notable for Plough), and Mark Murcko (Vertex) as presented and approved as presented the absence of critical questions. plenary lecturers. The topical focus by voice vote. Chemical Abstracts is celebrating its areas covered – medicinal chemistry, Expressed concern about coordi- 100th anniversary in 2007.The 11 June pharmaceutical and organic synthesis nating fundraising efforts by different issue of C & E News will feature this were areas where the chemical enter- groups within the section. celebration. prise in our area has a well deserved Trustees: M. Strem Attended the third-ever meeting of reputation for excellence. See statement at appended to the the ACS Ethics Committee as an Asso- The response from pharmaceutical minutes. ciate on Sunday; Marge Cavanaugh of companies in the area was extremely NSF is the Chair, and Eric Slater, Esq., enthusiastic. A sell out symposium Councilors Reports is the staff person. To the original two crowd was treated to some exhilarating M. Chen subcommittees that deal with the science from some of the finest practi- There are eleven pages of petition Continued on page 12 The Nucleus September 2007 11 Board of Directors Chemical Education: R. Tanner 19-23, 2007. The grants are for regis- (written and oral) Newell Grants tration reimbursement for the national Continued from page 11 The Northeastern Section of the Amer- meeting for High School Chemistry action items (Education and Aware- ican Chemical Society is again offering Teachers within the Northeastern Sec- ness) has been added an Industrial four Lyman C. Newell Grants for the tion of the ACS (i.e. New Hampshire Subcommittee — that I have joined. New England Association of Chem- and eastern Massachusetts). The reim- Dr. David Chesney of Houghton, MI, istry Teachers’ Annual Summer Con- bursement will only be for the $78.00 led our first meeting on ethical aspects ference. This summer the theme of the registration fee; transportation, lodg- of the chemical industry. conference is The Wonders of Glass. ing, and food will not be reimbursed. An excellent workshop (with It will be held at St. Joseph’s College Registration for the meeting will enti- PROF) presented scenarios of work- in West Hartford, CT on August 6-9, tle them to access to all workshops, place ethical issues on Tuesday after- 2007. The program can be accessed at any session in any division, all presen- noon. There will be at least four http://neact.org/summer_conference.ht tations, exhibitions, and non-ticketed different workshops dealing with ethics ml. The total fees for Monday evening events throughout the meeting. The for chemists at the Boston meeting. through Thursday morning, including total amount available for the grants President Katie Hunt arranged registration, room and board, banquets are $1000 or 12-13 grants total. Presidential Events on sustainable and socials are expected to be from The Chemical Education Division energy. See http://www.acspresident. about $300 to $325. Each Newell (CHED) is presenting a special educa- org/biosustainability.php#7 and other Grant will be for $225, paid to the tion program for high school chemistry sites. teachers on the opening Sunday of the NEACT Summer Conference Regis- th Prof. Nathan Lewis of CalTech . Registration at trar/Treasurer. meeting, August 19 gave a powerful summary of the the meeting entitles them to the High While preference will be given to predicament that the world faces. How School Day Luncheon and Door Prize teachers who are new to teaching or do we cut carbon dioxide emissions Raffle. Applications can be accessed returning to teaching, the awards are enough to end the rapid global climate though the NESACS website at http: open to all secondary school chemistry change? Economics, politics, engi- www.NESACS.org. The deadline for teachers. Applicants need not be mem- neering, and science are all parts of the applications is June 15, 2007. All bers of the Northeastern Section of the problem. Solar energy is promising applicants will be notified by e-mail on American Chemical Society or of June 22, 2007. but still too expensive. NEACT. The application for the Attended the Silver Circle Break- Newell Grants is available on the web- Grants-in-Aid fast on Tuesday with an outstanding site of the Northeastern Section at The Education Committee has interactive address by ACS Past Presi-
12 The Nucleus September 2007 Board of Directors We have four speakers presenting There will be no NERM in 2007 on that day. because the ACS national meeting will Continued from page 12 The speakers are: Prof. L.V. G Nar- be held in Boston. Given these current expenses, it is gund from Nargund Research Founda- NERM 2008 will be held in Burling- proposed that the Grants-in-Aid be tion, Nargund College of Pharmacy, ton, VT, June 29-July 2, 2008. The increased to $350 with a required Bangalore, India, Green Mountain Local Section will increase of matching funds to $350. Dr. Neal Green, from Wyeth Research, host the meeting. Motion: To increase the award for Cambridge, MA, Plans are evolving for NERMs in Grants-in-Aid from $250 each to $350 2009 in western Massachusetts, 2010 each for 2008. Second by M. Hoff- Dr. Horst Hemmerle from Eli Lilly in the Potsdam, NY, area, and 2012 in man. Dr. Mark Goulet from Merck Research Rochester, NY. Laboratories, Boston, MA. A discussion was held about hold- Discussion: The total expense is ing a joint Northeast-Middle Atlantic $400 from the education budget. All the necessary information about regional meeting (NERM-MARM) in The expense needs to be approved this meeting has been sent to the 2011. [The national meetings will be now, in order to get proper advertis- Nucleus. held in Anaheim (Spring) and Chicago ing in the fall 2007. National Meeting: M. Hoffman (Fall) in 2011.] Such a meeting could Motion passes by voice vote. A reception is being planned for Sun- be held in a location at or near the Board of Publications: V. Walworth day afternoon sponsored by NESACS boundary of the regions, e.g., White The website continues to be an and the Division of Chemical Educa- Plains, NY, so as to be easily accessi- issue under review. D. Cunningham is tion and the German Chemical Society. ble by car, train, and air to participants actively working with Satish to Funds are being solicited from German from both regions. Wayne Jones will improve the website. All comments chemical companies. be present at MARM 2007 and has and concerns about the website should Motion by M. Strem: To award been invited to the meeting of the Mid- be sent to the Board of Publications for Kurt Begitt of the GDS be presented dle Atlantic Region to discuss this their review and action as appropriate. by NESACS with an ACS Salute to option. Morton Hoffman will also be Excellence Award to be presented at at MARM to represent the CHED Much discussion on the need for a well the Sunday reception at the ACS meet- High School Teacher Award, and will maintained website was raised. ing in Boston. Second by M. Hearn. be available for discussions. Local sections within the Northeast and Mid- Consider listing David Cunningham as Discussion: Kurt Begitt has been one the main website contact person dle Atlantic Regions that are willing to of the key leaders over the past years co-host the meeting will have to be Can the Board of Publications develop representing the GDS for the GDS – identified. an action plan for the website that YCC student exchange program. The next meeting of the NERACS includes looking at hiring a Webmaster Motion passes by voice vote. with the associated costs? Board of Directors will take place in NERM: M. Hoffman (written and Boston in August. Are there section funds available from oral) the Trust to fund a webmaster? Sense of the Board Motion: NESACS An interim meeting of the Board of will co-host the 2011 joint NERM- What are the future roles of the Web- Directors of the Northeast Region of MARM meeting. master and the paid consultant? the American Chemical Society, Inc. Motion passes on voice vote. Nucleus: M. Filosa (NERACS) was held on March 27, 2007, in Chicago, IL. Present were M. Hoffman to communicate this to May issue is at the printers. Julie Smist (Chair), Dick Cobb (Vice- both NERM and MARM organizers. th Summer issue deadline is June 15 . chair), Chris Masi (Secretary), Wayne NCW C. Jaworek-Lopes (written Need additional written content for the Jones (Treasurer), Linda Farber (Rep- report) issue. resentative from the Western Connecti- cut Local Section), and Morton Nine haikus from three schools Medicinal Chemistry Group: L. Hoffman. A check for $12,000 was (Lebanon High School, two elemen- Shao presented to NERACS from the excess tary schools in Bedford, and Norwood Medicinal chemistry group will have of income over expenditures for High School) were received as part of the first symposium for the year 2007 NERM 2005. It is anticipated that Chemists Celebrate Earth Day. Two on May 17th at 3pm at Emanuel Col- NERM 2006 will provide the NER- haikus were sent on to Washington, lege, Boston MA. The topic of the ACS treasury with approximately DC for judging. All participants and symposium is “Lead Optimization $30,000 after all the accounting of that their teachers will receive small gifts. Strategies” meeting has been completed. The haikus submitted are: Continued on page 17
The Nucleus September 2007 13 Abstract MedChem Speakers group at Sepracor in Marlborough, New Frontiers in Exploratory and Massachusetts where he worked on a Continued from page 5 Early Drug Discovery Research: A variety of medicinal chemistry endeav- their success rates for new therapies. Hybrid Academic/Industrial ors, including anti-bacterials and CNS The opportunity exists for a more Approach projects directed towards the treatment interactive partnership between acade- Vanderbilt University, through the Van- of pain and behavioral diseases. In mia and industry that will accelerate derbilt Institute of Chemical Biology 2001 he was invited by Prof. Peter the delivery of new drugs for patients. (VICB) and the Vanderbilt Program in Lansbury to join the Laboratory for However, success will depend not only Drug Discovery (VPDD), has begun to Drug Discovery in Neurodegeneration on strengthening scientific interactions, develop the material infrastructure and (LDDN), a newly formed drug discov- but also closing gaps in the areas of personnel to support discovery and ery group at Brigham & Women’s intellectual property, contractual agree- development of small molecular tools Hospital and Harvard Medical School. ments and organizational cultures. for basic and early translational At the LDDN he has been collaborat- research. As part of this effort we have ing with investigators from the Har- David Weaver Ph.D. developed a high-throughput screening vard Medical School community and (Director, New Leads Discovery, center and a technology-enabled from several other institutions through- Vanderbilt Program in Drug Discovery, medicinal chemistry facility specializ- out the United States by providing Vanderbilt University) Biography ing in the discovery, characterization, medicinal chemistry lead optimization and refinement of modulators of G-pro- towards potentially new treatments for C. David Weaver was born in tein coupled receptors, ion channels, neurodegenerative diseases. In addi- Knoxville Tennessee in 1967 and and transporters as a member of the tion to medicinal chemistry, he contin- received all of his education there, Molecular Libraries Screening Center ues to maintain a research interest in earning a B.S. in cell biology in 1989 Network (MLSCN). A description of the utilization of transition metals to and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry in 1994 the facilities’ mission, infrastructure, organic synthesis and in heterocyclic from the University of Tennessee. and early successes focused on the dis- chemistry. After a postdoctoral fellowship in the covery and characterization of modula- Abstract Department of Pharmacology at Van- tors of G-protein-coupled receptors Opportunities and Challenges for derbilt University he moved to and the development of novel assays Medicinal Chemistry in Wallingford Connecticut where he will be presented. Opportunities and Academic Drug Discovery joined the Neuroscience Drug Discov- challenges regarding the effective part- Abstract: An overview of the opportu- ery Unit at Bristol Myers Squibb. After nering of academic and pharmaceutical nities and challenges for medical rising through the ranks at Bristol drug discovery efforts will be high- chemistry in an academic drug discov- Myers Squibb he left in 2004 to lighted. ery setting will be presented drawing become the Assistant Director of the from the experiences of the past six Molecular Recognition and Screening Greg Cuny Ph.D. (Director, Laboratory for Drug years in the Laboratory for Drug Dis- Facility at the Vanderbilt Institute of cover in Neurodegeneration (LDDN) Chemical Biology (VICB) and a Discovery in Neurodegeneration, Har- vard Medical School) at Brigham & Women’s Hospital and Research Assistant Professor in the Biography Harvard Medical School. A summary Department of Pharmacology at the of past and current projects will be used Vanderbilt University Medical School. Gregory Cuny grew up outside Pitts- to illustrate some of these opportuni- In 2005 he also assumed the post of burgh, Pennsylvania. After receiving a ties and challenges. Finally, several Assistant Director of the High- B.S. degree in chemistry from Grove specific examples of medicinal chem- Throughput screening facility at the City College, where he participated in istry projects will be present, including VICB, and was promoted to Research heterocyclic chemistry research under the development of necroptosis Associate Professor at Vanderbilt Med- the direction of the late Dr. John Shaw, inhibitors for the treatment of cerebral ical School. Earlier this year he was he attended MIT. In 1992, he earned a ischemia and traumatic brain injury. made Director of New Leads Discov- Ph.D. degree in organic chemistry ery at VICB. He was the recipient of under the supervision of Prof. Stephen Perry F. Renshaw, MD, Ph.D. numerous awards while an undergrad- Buchwald studying the application of (Principal Investigator/Program uate, including the Ed Hawkins Memo- transition metals, such as zirconium Director, McLean Hospital Brain rial Scholarship, and earned the and rhodium, to organic synthesis. Imaging Center, Harvard University) Presidents Award and the Pill Head Following graduate school, he began Biography Award for Scientific Innovation from his industrial career at 3M in St Paul, the Bristol Myers Squibb Pharmaceuti- Minnesota developing organic materi- Dr. Perry F. Renshaw received his cal Research Institute. Dr. Weaver has als utilized for imaging, security and undergraduate training at MIT, where published extensively in both the sci- biological applications. However, in he was Phi Beta Kappa and received a entific and patent literature. 1996 he moved to the drug discovery B.S. in Chemistry in 1982. He then 14 The Nucleus September 2007 MedChem Speakers Iwao Ojima Ph. D. drug discovery at Stony Brook Univer- sity. The rapid and impressive Continued from page 14 (Distinguished Professor and Director, Institute of Chemical Biology advancements in chemical biology dur- moved to the University of Pennsylva- & Drug Discovery, State University of ing the last decade have clearly nia, where he was in the joint M.D./ New York at Stony Brook) demonstrated that solutions for a vast Ph.D. program, earning a Ph.D. in Bio- Biography majority of medical problems rely on physics in 1987 and an M.D. in 1988. the understanding of the molecular After moving back to Boston in 1988 Iwao Ojima received his B.S., M.S., basis of diseases, therapeutic targets, he completed his internship in Internal and Ph.D.(1973) degrees from the Uni- drug actions, and drug resistance. Medicine and residency in Psychiatry versity of Tokyo, Japan. He joined the ICB&DD promotes highly productive at Brigham and Women’s and Massa- Sagami Institute of Chemical Research interdisciplinary and collaborative chusetts General Hospital, respectively. and held a position as Senior Research research among chemists, biologists, After two years as a Neuroscience Fel- Fellow until 1983. He joined the fac- medicinal chemists, pharmacologists, low in the Department of Psychiatry ulty at the Department of Chemistry, and physicians to attack major biomed- and MGH-NMR Center at Massachu- State University of New York at Stony ical problems to find solutions includ- setts General Hospital, he became an Brook in1983 and is currently a Distin- ing the discovery of novel therapeutic instructor in the Department of Psychi- guished Professor (1995-). He served drugs. ICB&DD complements Stony atry at Harvard Medical School in as the Department Chairman from1997 Brook’s Centers for Molecular Medi- 1992. He was promoted to Assistant to 2003. He is the founding Director cine (CMM) and significantly con- Professor of Psychiatry in 1994 and for the Institute of Chemical Biology tribute to the advancement of a truly Professor in 2003. His tenure at and Drug Discovery (ICB&DD) at comprehensive biomedical research McLean Hospital began in 1992 as an Stony Brook from 2003. He has a wide enterprise from molecular science to Assistant Psychiatrist and Research range of research interests in medicinal clinic at Stony Brook. One of Director of the Brain Imaging Center; chemistry, including anticancer agents, ICB&DD’s strengths is that it has been he was promoted to Director of the anti-TB agents, antithrombotic agents, founded by reorganizing existing Brain Imaging Center in 1997. The enzyme inhibitors, and medicinally rel- exceptional talents on campus, and author of over 220 publications, he has evant organofluorine compounds. He thus the core of the institute is a well also received numerous awards, includ- is a recipient of the Arthur C. Cope proven entity with an excellent track ing the Kenneth E. Appell award while Scholar Award (1994) and the E. B. record. ICB&DD is open to a wide at the University of Pennsylvania, the Hershberg Award (for important dis- range of collaborative research pro- NIMH Outstanding Resident Award covery of medicinally active sub- grams with pharmaceutical and while at Massachusetts General Hospi- stances) (2001) from the American biotechnology industrial firms. tal, and the Gerald L. Klerman Award Chemical Society; The Chemical Soci- ICB&DD integrates the existing for Clinical Research from NARSAD. ety of Japan Award (for distinguished strengths at Stony Brook University in Abstract achievements) (1999); Outstanding the basic medical sciences as well as Inventor Award (2002) from the In Vivo Magnetic Resonance Spec- medicinal chemistry and brings in com- Research Foundation of the State Uni- plementary expertise from outside to troscopy in Drug Discovery versity of New York. He is a Fellow of and Development explore drug discovery and develop- the J. S. Guggenheim Memorial Foun- ment. At present, ICB&DD focuses on Multinuclear magnetic resonance spec- dation, the American Association for drug discovery in troscopy (MRS) provides a means to the Advancement of Science, and The directly monitor tissue drug levels New York Academy of Sciences. He i) Cancer Therapeutics, 7 19 (using Li and F MRS) and to moni- was inducted into the ACS Medicinal ii) Infectious Disease Control, tor in vivo biochemistry. We have Chemistry Hall of Fame (2006). He iii) Therapeutics for Diabetes and been interested in the use of MRS as a has published more than 350 papers Obesity, tool for psychiatric drug discovery and and reviews in leading journals and wherein high level expertise already development at the McLean Hospital more than l50 patents and patent appli- exists on the Stony Brook campus. A Brain Imaging Center for the last 15 cations. He has edited 6 books. few examples from numerous ongoing years. New treatment strategies that Abstract projects at ICB&DD will be presented. have been developed based on our N MRS findings will be reviewed. In Opportunities for Translational addition, our experience in working Research in Chemical Biology and with the biotechnology and pharma- Drug Discovery ceutical industries on collaborative The primary objective of the Institute research projects will be discussed. of Chemical Biology & Drug Discov- ery (ICB&DD) (founded in 2004) is to establish a world-class “Center of Excellence” in chemical biology and
The Nucleus September 2007 15 Needhamite Trains progress in treating the cancer over the Summer - past 10 years and survival rates, as a Continued from page 6 result, haven’t increased. thing 2007 thought I ate something that threw me “When you have days when you’re off.” really suffering, you ask yourself why,” A Needham High School graduate she said. “Did I eat too much sugar or Lowell Spinners at LaLacheur and veterinarian, Chen, who went to too many doughnuts? I’d walk around Park – July 14, 2007 Ohio State for veterinary school, called the house saying, ‘This is ridiculous.’” Summerthing 2007 was held at Columbus, Ohio, where she lived for Chen said she managed to get past LaLecheur Park in Lowell Ma on Sat- 18 years, her home when she received those dark moments by finding some- urday July 14th. the very grim diagnosis on July 14 of thing to appreciate. While speaking, Forty-eight NESACS members, last year. The doctor said she had pan- Chen is typically upbeat, emphasizing family and friends watched the Lowell creatic cancer and gave her six to nine the positives in her life. She also still Spinners (Red Sox Single A affiliate) months to live, suggesting she return to looks healthy. lose in 11 innings to the Auburn Dou- Needham to be with her family. “What you see is what you get,” bledays (Toronto Blue Jays Single A “I grew up here,” she said. “I said her brother-in-law, Mark Lueders. affiliate). It was very exciting seeing always thought I’d come back, but not “She’s always smiling, laughing, even the Lowell Spinners hit back to back for these reasons.” if she’s under a lot of emotional stress. homers in the 5th inning. Many of the Pancreatic cancer is unusual for She has such a good sense of humor.” children in attendance took advantage someone as young as Chen. Fewer than She said all the old friends in of the Swampland kids area and got to 5 percent of people with the nearly Needham who have reached out to her meet the Canaligator and Allie-Gator untreatable form of cancer are under have touched her. (the Spinners Mascots) during the the age of 50, said Chen. “Having a lot of love and support game. After the game, many attendees “I feel like an anomaly,” Chen from people has been incredible,” said remained to play catch in the outfield said about her visits to the Dana-Farber Chen, who meets with cancer support and watch the Sponge Bob Square Cancer Institute for treatment. “I’m the groups. “My ex-boyfriend of 20 years, Pants movie on the big screen. youngest person there.” friends of friends. It’s been surprising N Michael Singer She said there hasn’t been much how people reach out and let you know they’ve been for you … Love is every- thing, having faith and gratitude.” Chen nicknamed her bicycle March Meeting Photos “Hugh” since she believes her ride is Photos by Morton Z. Hoffman the Hugh Jackman of bikes. She also color-coordinated her equipment in orange to match her shoes. But despite her generally positive attitude, her voice cracks when she recounts her personal struggle coping with the diag- nosis. “The more dark times you hit, the more you realize you climbed out of them before and will climb out of them again,” Chen said. Chen said living with cancer is like donning a new identity. “There’s life with cancer and life (l-r) Marietta Schwartz, UMass Boston, NESACS March Speaker Michael Wasielewski, North- without cancer,” she said. “It’s about Chair-Elect, Michael Wasielewski and Mukund western University, 2006 Winner of the James finding out who you are again. The Chorghade, NESACS Chair. Flack Norris Award in Physical Organic Pan-Massachusetts is part of it, finding Chemistry, and his former student, NESACS out what I can and cannot do.” member, Susan Buta. Steven Ryan can be reached at The NESACS website [email protected]. Updated frequently • Late-breaking news • Position Postings Those interested in sponsoring Back issues of the Nucleus • Career-related Links • Awards and Scholarships Pamela Chen can go to PMC.org. N www.nesacs.org Her e-gift code is PC0138
16 The Nucleus September 2007 BUSINESS DIRECTORY SERVICES SERVICES SERVICES
Board of Directors
Continued from page 13 Written by Dan Sudman, Grade 10, Norwood High School Contamination, Destroying our health and earth. The end approaching. Pollution written by Gina Han, Grade 4, Lt. Job Lane Elementary School Gases, oils, fuels It all causes pollution. Why choose PCI Synthesis? We need to stop now. Providing reliable process Norris Award Committee: J.D. development and chemical Smith (written report) manufacturing services for any The deadline for receipt of new or or all of a project's phases revised nominations is April 15. There - from process research to commercialization. are 8 previous nominations but no new ones yet. The Committee will hold a PCI Synthesis transforms basic teleconference in mid-May to select or proprietary chemistry the Awardee. technology into the precise Reservations have been made at requirements our customers seek the Harvard Faculty Club for Thurs- th Take advantage of our day, November 8 , assuming that the FDA inspected facilities Awardee selected will be able to make for fine chemical syntheses that date. and/or cGMP syntheses Summerthing: M. Singer
Tickets are available through the sec- tion office for the Lowell Spinners th R&D: Headquarters: game on Saturday July 14 . 88 Jackson Rd. 9 Opportunity Way Devens, MA 01434 Newburyport, MA 01950 Meeting was adjourned at 5:50 PM. Ph: 978-772-2111 Ph: 978-462-5555 Fax: 978-862-0036 Fax: 978-465-2057 Respectfully Submitted, Michael Singer, e-mail: [email protected] N NESACS Secretary http://www.pcisynthesis.com
The Nucleus September 2007 17 BUSINESS DIRECTORY SERVICES SERVICES SERVICES
Front Run OrganX,inc.
Custom Synthesis & Process Chemistry WHEN QUALITY MATTERS High Purity, Scalable Solutions
to Challenging Organic Synthesis
Starting Materials to Pre-clinical Single to Multi-Step mg to Kgm
98% min. purity Phone 978-356-7133 Fax 978-356-7449 Email [email protected] www.FrontRunOrg.com
18 The Nucleus September 2007 BUSINESS DIRECTORY SERVICES SERVICES CAREER SERVICES
Chemical Solutions for the Life Science Industry Q Custom Organic Synthesis Q Process Development Q Contract R & D Q Pharmaceutical Intermediates Q Medicinal Chemistry Support Q Biotechnology Specialty Reagents Q Solid Support Reactions Q Process Validation Q Gram to Multi-Kilogram Synthesis
PolyOrg Inc. 10 Powers Street, Leominster, MA 01453 Phone: 978-466-7978 1-866-PolyOrg Fax: 978-466-8084 [email protected] www.polyorginc.com Index of Advertisers Am. Instrument Exchange...... 18 Arendt & Associates IP Group...... 19 Bruker Daltronics, Inc...... 17 Chemir Analytical Services...... 17 Chemo Dynamics LP ...... 20 Desert Analytics Laboratory ...... 19 DuPont Analytical Solutions...... 18 Eastern Scientific Co...... 10 G. Finkenbeiner, Inc...... 17 Front Run OrganX, Inc...... 18 HT Laboratories, Inc...... 18 Huffman Laboratories, Inc...... 17 IQSynthesis ...... 6 Laboratory Compliance Services..18 Mass-Vac, Inc...... 7 Micron Inc...... 18 New Era Enerprises, Inc...... 19 NuMega Resonance Labs...... 17 Organix, Inc...... 18 PCI Synthesis ...... 17 PolyOrg Inc...... 19 Robertson Microlit Labs...... 18 Rowley Biochemical, Inc...... 18 Schwarzkopf Microanalytical ...... 18 Waters Corporation ...... 17
The Nucleus September 2007 19 Harvard, MA 01451 19 Mill Road AMERICAN CHEMICAL U.S. POSTAGE PAID NONPROFIT ORG. NORTHEASTERN SOCIETY SECTION
Sept. 12: Sept. 26: Calendar Dr. Wan-Jr Syu (National Yang Ming Univ.) Dr. Max Diem (Northeastern Univ.) “A Gene Cluster (Pathogenicity Island) “Infrared and Raman Spectroscopy of Human Check the NESACS Homepage Associated with Virulence of E. coli O157:H7” Cells and Tissue: Toward Objective, Machine- U. Mass Dartmouth, Building Group II, based Histopathology“ for late additions: Room 115 4:00 pm U. Mass Dartmouth, Building Group II, Room http://www.NESACS.org Sept 17 115 4:00 pm Note also the Chemistry Department web Dr. Takahiko Akiyama (Gakushuin Univ., pages for travel directions and updates. Tokyo) Dr. Gerband Ceder (MIT) These include: “Chiral Broensted Acid Catalysis for the TBA http://chemserv.bc.edu/seminar.html Synthesis of Nitrogen-containing Compounds” Northeastern Hurtig Hall, Rm 129 http://www.bu.edu/chemistry/events/ Brandeis, G122 Noon http://www.chem.brandeis.edu/colloquium.shtml 3:45 pm Oct 1 http://www-chem.harvard.edu/events/ http://web.mit.edu/chemistry/ Russell P. Hughes (Dartmouth College) Joanna Aizenberg (Harvard Univ.) www.chem.neu.edu/web/calendar/index.html “Facile Activation of Carbon-Fluorine Bonds: TBA http://chem.tufts.edu/seminars.html [CHEM.] Inner Sphere Construction of New Fluorinated Harvard, Pfizer Lecture Hall http://ase.tufts.edu/chemical/seminar.htm Organic Ligands” 4:15 pm to 5:15 pm [CHEM. ENGG.] Boston University, Life Science & Engineering http://www.chem.umb.edu/ Bldg, B01 www.umassd.edu/cas/chemistry/seminars.cfm 4:00 pm (reception 3:30 pm) Notices for The Nucleus www.uml.edu/Dept/Chemistry/speakers.html Sept. 19: Calendar of Seminars should be http://www.unh.edu/chemistry/seminars.html sent to: Sept 10 Dr. Brenton deBoef (Univ. Rhode Island) TBA Sheila E Rodman Dr. Anne Gershenson (Brandeis Univ.) U. Mass Dartmouth, Building Group II, 250 Kennedy Drive TBA Room 115 4:00 pm Unit #403, Malden, MA 02148. Brandeis, G122 Dr. Jim McBreen E-MAIL: serodman(at)hotmail.com 3:45P pm TBA Professor Michael Knapp (Univ. Mass. Amherst) Northeastern, Hurtig Hall, Rm 129 TBA Noon Boston University, Life Science & Engineering Sept 24 Bldg, B01 Dr. Susan Rempe (Sandia) 4:00 pm (reception 3:30 pm) Sept 11 TBA Looking for seminars Brandeis, G122 3:45 pm in the Boston area? Prof. Rachel Narehood Austin (Bates College) Dr. Sotiris Xantheas (Pacific Northwest National “Exploring Structure-function Relationships in Laboratory) Check out the Metalloenzyme-Mediated Alkane Oxidation” TBA Univ. New Hampshire, Iddles Room L103 Boston University, Life Science & Engineering NESACS Calendar 11:10 am Blg, B01 4:00 pm (reception 3:30 pm) www.nesacs.org/seminars