vanderbilt

2013 CONTENTS

Greetings 1

Research Highlights 2

Departmental Accomplishments 14

Graduate Student Highlights 18

Undergraduate Student Highlights 20

Colloquium Speakers 21 Warm greetings from Nashville

In recent years, the Chemistry Department has sustained an aggressive expansion in teaching and scientific research across the spectrum of disciplines in chemistry. This season of growth has included major research initiatives focusing on problems at the chemical interface, nanotechnology and materials science, and in structural biology. I hope you will enjoy reading about some of the exciting aspects of the wide spectrum of science in Vanderbilt chemistry labs.

We are particularly proud of our outstanding students who come from across the U.S. and around the world. In May, we graduated 24 students with ACS-certified Bachelor degrees in Chemistry, most of whom will continue with graduate or professional education this fall. We also graduated 9 students with the Masters degree and 16 students with the Ph.D. degree in Chemistry.

As you read this, the class of 2017 will have arrived and have matriculated into the Vanderbilt community. About one half of them, roughly 850 students, will be enrolling in a chemistry course. We will also welcome sixteen new students to our graduate program in Chemistry.

We always love to hear from you. The Department of Chemistry has experienced a period of unprecedented growth and expansion, so please visit us the next time you find yourself in Nashville.

Michael P. Stone Professor and Chair researchhighlights

Applied Photosynthesis using Electrochemistry

By David Salisbury

An interdisciplinary research team at have developed a biohybrid, photoelectrochemical energy conversion device with multilayer films of Photosystem I (PSI) deposited on silicon electrodes, which yielded an average pho- tocurrent density of 875 μA/cm2, one of the highest reported photocurrent densities for a film of PSI deposited onto an electrode of any material. The research provides a way to combine the photosynthetic Photosystem I-based Prototype for Solar Energy Conversion protein that converts light into electrochemical energy in spin- ach with silicon, the material used in solar cells, in a fashion that produces substantially more electrical current than has solar cell using this new design. Jennings has an Environmental been reported by previous “biohybrid” solar cells. Protection Agency award that will allow a group of undergrad- The research was reported in Journal of Advanced Materials and uate engineering students to build the prototype. The students Vanderbilt has applied for a patent on the combination. won the award at the National Sustainable Design Expo in April, 2012, based on a solar panel that they had created using “This combination produces current levels almost 1,000 times a two-year old design. With the new design, Jennings estimates higher than we were able to achieve by depositing the protein that a two-foot panel could put out at least 100 milliamps at on various types of metals. It also produces a modest increase one volt – enough to power a number of different types of small in voltage,” said David Cliffel, associate professor of chemistry, electrical devices. who collaborated on the project with Kane Jennings, professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering. “If we can continue Harnessing the power of spinach on our current trajectory of increasing voltage and current More than 40 years ago, scientists discovered that one of the levels, we could reach the range of mature solar conversion proteins involved in photosynthesis, called Photosystem 1 technologies in three years.” (PS1), continued to function when it was extracted from plants The researchers’ next step is to build a functioning PS1-silicon like spinach. Then they determined PS1 converts sunlight 3 * Vanderbilt Chemistry 2013

Gabriel LeBlanc David Cliffel If we can continue on of our current trajectory current levels, we could reach the range of mature increasing voltage and solar conversion technologies in three years. order to fill the holes that they produce. As a result, theyresult, As a produce. they fill to that holes the order each cancel that currents negative and both positive produce a very flow. leave small current to net out other it because problem this eliminates p-doped silicon The them accept willnot but PS1 into flow to electrons allows the through flow electrons this manner, In proteins. from direction. in a common circuit much bet- is it but alignment, goodprotein as as “Thisisn’t Jennings. said before,” had we what than ter Gongping LeBlanc, Gabriel Students Graduate Chemistry - Me researcher, undergraduate and Gizzie, Evan and Chen, study. the to contributed Shearer, linda Foundation Science National by supported was research The EPS 1004083 and EPSCoR grant 0907619, NSF DMR grant for Corporation Research the of Program Scialog the by Science Advancement. nment n alig Protei the absorbs exposed is it light, to a PS1 protein When and free electrons to uses it and energy in the photons creates That the protein. side of one them to transport the to called which move holes, charge, positive of regions the protein. side of opposite in the protein aligned. But are all a leaf, the PS1 proteins In - ran oriented are proteins the device, individual on layer a this was that indicated work modeling Previous domly. a metal- on deposited are the proteins When problem. major provide direction in one oriented are those that lic substrate, the metal oriented collects that while are thoseelectrons that the metal in of out electrons pull direction in the opposite - The Vanderbilt researchers report that their PS1/silicon PS1/silicon their report that researchers Vanderbilt The (850 microamps) a milliamp nearly produces combination nearly is That volts. 0.3 at centimeter per square current of the best than level current a half times more and two reason this The cell. a biohybrid from previously reported because so the is electrical well works properties combo of those fit to been tailored have substrate the silicon of electrically by implanting is done the This PS1 molecule. electrical its alter proper to in the silicon atoms charged this case, the protein In calledties: “doping.” a process positive doped with silicon with well extremely worked doped silicon. negatively with poorly worked and charges extracted PS1 from the device, make the researchers To the mixture poured and solution aqueous an into spinach put Then they wafer. a p-doped silicon the surface of on the evaporate to in order chamber in a vacuum the wafer the that found They protein. of a film leaving away, water 100 PS1 about micron, one about was thickness optimum molecules thick. n ng” silico is “dopi Secret Another problem has been longevity. The performance of The performance been has longevity. problem Another In weeks.few a only after deteriorated cells test early some a PS1 cell working kept team the Vanderbilt 2010, however, in performance. deterioration no with months nine for evergreen In well. do this extremely to how knows “Nature just “We Cliffel. said years,” for lasts PS1 example, for trees, ourselves.” it to do how out figure to have Since the initial discovery, progress has been slow but but been has slow progress the initial discovery, Since extract to PS1 ways developed have Researchers steady. can it that demonstrated have They leaves. from efficiently electrical when current produce that cells be into made that power of the amount exposed However, sunlight. to been has inch per square produce can cells these biohybrid cells. photovoltaic commercial of that below substantially Another potential advantage of these biohybrid cells is that that is cells these biohybrid of advantage potential Another - materi available readily and cheap they be from can made rare require devices that microelectronic als, unlike many Most indium. or platinum like materials expensive and In spinach. as proteins photosynthetic use the same plants a on working is Jennings project research fact, in another kudzu. extracting PS1 from method for into electrical energy with nearly 100 percent efficiency, efficiency, electrical 100 percent into energy nearly with 40 percent than of less efficiencies conversion to compared re- various prompted devices. This manmade by achieved begin to trying the world use PS1 to around groups search cells. solar efficient more create to researchhighlights

Extractionator could bring high-tech medical diagnostics to rural areas

By David Salisbury

They call it “The Extractionator.” The prototype looks like nothing more than a length of clear plastic tubing until you inspect it closely. But it could be the basis of an easy-to-use and low-cost sample collection and preparation system that will help bring the benefits of medical diagnostic testing to the people who live in the poorest areas of the world. 5 * Vanderbilt Chemistry 2013 then drags the beads through the air spaces, which spaces, the the beads thethen air drags through - the sub into valves, callengineers surface tension chambers the sequential Each of chambers. sequent molecules remove special that chemicals contains a result, the accuracy with As the test. of interfere that they the tube, of end when the the beads other reach of the sort sample carry concentrated and a purified testing. for required and collection make sample goalto is The ultimate - prop be can operated it that so simple preparation be can easily and training little with people by erly methods detection under the other with integrated grantees. other by development works system the how explored have researchers The biomarkers – applications potential of a number with and tuberculosis, virus, HIV, the RSV respiratory for effective. is their system that found malaria – and for of concentration and extractionthe They evaluated the Extractionator that found and the RSV biomarker the lab-based In kits. commercial as well as worked processing malaria,case they of observed sample that of the performance improved the cassette through diagnostic rapid commercial effective even the least strip. test surface The Wright. said high-science,” low-tech, “It’s baths liquid the different keep that valves tension a specific balance by between the formed are apart of diameter the internal the liquid, of surface tension the plastic. of the surface properties and the tubing identify the to is goals research the team’s of One formation. valve affect that features physical various is plastic alsoof critical the chemicalmakeup The the surface of to moleculesbecause stick biological identify need to so plastics, the researchers many to inert chemically relative are that plastic types of the issue is there addition, molecules. In biological they are beads. the magnetic So on far, the coating of a single up picks it so that the coating customizing a specific be can diagnostic used for that biomarker that a coating develop to want we the future “In test. in a single sample,” targets 20 different will target said. Mernaugh graduate were project this on worked who Students Swartz, Josh Adams, Davis, Nick Keersten students Gibson. Lauren and and Bill the by provided was work this for Support Global in Challenges Grand Foundation Gates Melinda of Assessment Allow that Technologies Develop Health: Point-of-Care at Pathogens and Conditions Multiple # OPP1028749) (Grant he principal investigators on the Extractionator Extractionator on the investigators he principal aselton, aselton, Rick H engineer biomedical are project left, Mernaugh, and biochemist Ray front, right. Wright, chemist David T (air) Surface Tension Valve Tension Buffer Processing Permanent Magnet Permanent Particles Magnetic Tygon Tubing It works something like a miniature car wash. When a When wash. car a miniature like something works It the tube, of the end into introduced is sample patient the to coat first external magnet uses an the operator special The beadshave material. beads the target with - biological themol specific with bind that coatings operator The test. diagnostic ecules a given needed for The device is the idea of an interdisciplinary team of team an interdisciplinary deviceof The is idea the Gates the Bill & Melinda and scientists, Vanderbilt be to it for them $3 million given has Foundation Challenges Grand of the is part The grant developed. seeks engage to that initiative in Global Health on work to disciplines scientific across minds creative advances breakthrough lead to could that solutions settings. resource-poor for - pro diagnostics point-of-care Challenges Grand The researchers and scientists to funding provides gram to components and technologies create to worldwide the point-of-care at pathogens and conditions assess a wide variety Performing world. in the developing most in treating step the first is tests diagnostic of if difficult they are but in a modern hospital, patients in rural without administer clinics to impossible not medical sophisticated highly technicians, trained water. electricity or equipment, required samples the patient Collecting preparing and research, the Vanderbilt the goal is of these tests for professor Wright, David being performed by which is biomedical of professor Haselton, Rick chemistry, of professor associate Mernaugh, Ray and engineering, biochemistry. of of a length It consists simple. deviceThe is deceptively is filledwith a series tubing The tubing. plastic clear of or air of lengths short by separated chambers liquid of magnetic tiny also the tube contains end, one At oil. mo- with of beads.the surfacebeadsis covered The interest. of the biomarker lecular catch to hooks researchhighlights

New tool for mining bacterial genome for novel drugs By David Salisbury

Vanderbilt chemists Brian Bachmann and John McLean have discovered that the process bac- teria undergo when they become drug resistant can act as a powerful tool for drug discovery.

Their findings were reported in the Proceed- ings of the National Academy of Sciences. This advancement should give a major boost to natural products drug discovery (the process of finding new drugs from compounds iso- lated from living organisms) by substantially increasing the number of novel compounds that scientists can extract from individual microorganisms.

Bacteria have traditionally been the source of important drugs such as antibiotics and anticancer agents. Researchers looking for new bacterially synthesized drugs have long known that bacterial genomes contain a large number of “silent genes” that contain the in- structions for making drug-like compounds. But, until now, scientists have found it is very difficult to find ways to turn on the produc- tion of these compounds, known as second- discovery and McLean, an associate professor of chemistry, is a ary metabolites. pioneer in the development of analytical instrumentation and chemical techniques that can identify thousands of different While investigating how bacteria develop drug resistance, biological compounds simultaneously, such as ion mobility- Bachmann and McLean discovered that strains of antibiotic- mass spectrometry. resistant bacteria express hundreds of compounds not pro- duced by their progenitors, many of which are potential “One of the daunting challenges is to rapidly inventory the tens secondary metabolites. to hundreds of thousands of molecules the bacteria construct to live, and then to read this inventory to understand how “It’s as if the bacteria respond to the assault by the antibiotic the bacteria compensate for their changing circumstances. To with a ‘save-all-ships’ strategy of turning on hundreds of silent complicate matters further, we are looking for new drug-like genes,” said Bachmann, Associate Professor of Chemistry. molecules, so by definition we are looking for something that has not been seen before,” said McLean. “This technique is something like fracking in the natural gas industry. We’ve known for a long time that there were large Working with research assistant Dagmara Derewacz, postdoc, amounts of underground natural gas that we couldn’t extract Cody Goodwin, and graduate student, Ruth McNees, Bach- using conventional methods but now we can, using hydraulic mann and McLean started with the well-characterized soil fracturing technology. In a similar fashion we think we can use bacterium Nocardiopsis. They exposed the bacterium to the bacteria’s antibiotic resistance to intensively mine the bacterial antibiotics streptomycin and rifampicin and observed the results. genome for new drug leads,” he said. “The first thing that happens is almost all of the bacteria die. The original purpose of the study was to take the most de- Less than one cell in a million survives,” said Bachmann. tailed look yet at what happens when microbes develop drug The chemists then cultured the survivors (six streptomycin- resistance. Bachmann is an expert in natural products drug resistant strains and five rifampicin-resistant strains) without 7 * Vanderbilt Chemistry 2013 - the re strains, John McLean Brian Bachmann determined that the resistant strains produced more than than more produced strains the resistant determined that the original by expressed not were that 300 compounds organism. of their many as ‘de-repressing’ to be appear “The cells very a This like seems possible. way as drastic genes silent said. Bachmann drug become to resistant,” them to allow that strategies developed has team McLean’s uniqueness the relative compare identify and automatically - mol of thousands of tens of abundance the relative and were compounds novel of ecules which the hundreds from found. new molecules species in of are for looking are we “What - abun the most and unique the most are that the mutants Bachmann. said dant,” Nocardiopsis the antibiotic-resistant In both were that compounds five of a total found searchers determine isolate, to enough abundant and enough unique activity. biological for test and their structures molecular so organism, per compound one find only we “Normally, get to us allowing in yield, improvement this a significant is - mined microorgan previously from new compounds many said. Bachmann isms,” Health of Institutes National by supported was research The Defense the and RC2DA028981 1R01GM09221B and grants HDTRA-09-1-0013. Agency grant Reduction Threat for novel drugs novel for Bachmann will be applying Bachmann will be applying to of this study the results the productivity increase for search to of a program by drugs produced novel - microorgan cave-dwelling isms that he started several ago. years in a million survives. Less than one cell bacteria die. almost all of the that happens is The first thing They discovered that the differences were much greater greater much were differences the that They discovered extensive theythan expected.had undergone survivors The secondary produce that in the genes only not mutations, alter that genes also in the housekeeping but metabolites they a result, As proteins. and they RNA make the way the antibiotic and used McLean’s instrumental methods to methods to instrumental used McLean’s and the antibiotic produced. they that drug-likethe compounds profile bacterial genome bacterial ew tool for mining mining for tool New researchhighlights

Neurons with serotonin transporters labeled with quantum dots

Probing the roots of depression by tracking serotonin regulation at a new level

By David Salisbury

Sandra Rosenthal, the Jack and Pamela Egan Chair in Chemistry, porter proteins, so scientists can use the capability to track the and Randy Blakely, the Allan D. Bass Professor of Pharmacolo- motion of individual transporter molecules to determine how gy and Psychiatry, have managed to tag a protein that regulates they are regulated as well. the neurotransmitter serotonin with tiny fluorescent beads, allowing them to track the movements of single molecules for Attempts to understand how these transporters work have been the first time. limited by the difficulty of studying their dynamic behavior. “In the past, we have been limited to snapshots that show the location of The capability makes it possible to study the dynamics of se- transporter molecules at a specific time,” said chemistry graduate rotonin regulation at a new level of detail, which is important student Jerry Chang, who developed the tagging technique. “Now because of the key role that serotonin plays in the regulation of we can follow their motion on the surface of cells in real time and mood, appetite and sleep. The achievement was reported in the see how their movements relate to serotonin uptake activity.” Journal of Neuroscience. The fluorescent tags that the researchers used are nanoscale The regulatory protein that the Rosenthal and Blakely success- beads called quantum dots, made from a mixture of cadmium fully tagged is known as the serotonin transporter, which helps and selenium. Quantum dots emit colored light when il- regulate the concentration of serotonin in the area around luminated; small changes in their size cause them to glow in the cell. different colors. Team member, Ian D. Tomlinson, research assistant professor of chemistry, developed a special molecular Serotonin transporters are an important research subject because string that attaches to the quantum dot at one end and, on the they are the target for common drugs used to treat depression, other end, attaches to a drug derivative that binds exclusively such as Prozac, Paxil and Lexapro. Problems with serotonin with the serotonin transporter. When a mixture that contains transporter regulation have also been implicated in autism. these quantum dots is incubated with cultured nerve cells, the The brain’s other key neurotransmitters have their own trans- drug attaches to the transporter. As the protein moves around, 9 * Vanderbilt Chemistry 2013 Jerry Chang

Sandra Rosenthal Since the mobilized transporters do not leave the rafts, they the rafts, leave do not transporters the mobilized Since compartment. a confined inside whizz to around appear - two popula the that is likely it suggest observationsThese regulatory pathways. different by controlled are tions naturally that the basic mechanisms understanding “By maybe down, and up activity transporter serotonin turn milder side ef- produce that medications develop can we Blakely. said efficacy,” even greater have fects and Jerry are project this on worked who students Graduate and Rosson, Teresa Jones-Ross, Emily Kovtun, Oleg Chang, Nick Glaser, Zach undergraduates and Claiborne; Sarah . Levinson Nate and Weaver National the from by grants supported was research The Nanoscale of Institute Vanderbilt the Health, of Institutes Conte O. NIMH Silvio the and Engineering and Science Research. Neuroscience Basic for Center (SERT) labeling chematic illustration Schematic dot nanoconjugates of quantum transporter for serotonin

When they stimulated the cell to increase transporter transporter increase the cell to they stimulated When found “We happened. what surprised at they were activity, much move to in thebegan rafts the transporters that didn’t population the other of the motion whereas faster, reported. Rosenthal all,” at change - distinct two popula showed studies dot quantum The travel can Those in thesethat areas: transporters of tions seem those im- that and the membrane around freely were transporters immobile the that found They mobile. in the rafts. located it drags the quantum dot behind it. When the area is il is - the area When behind it. dot the quantum drags it as a microscope in up show dots the quantum luminated, light. of points colored at looked the researchers their new procedure, Using in secreting involved the nerve are of cell that extensions be localized would transporters that presuming serotonin, - suspectedthe trans that investigators The well. as there parts of in cholesterol-rich be concentrated would porters called rafts. these extensions

by tracking serotonin regulation at a new level at a new regulation serotonin tracking by

transporters with serotonin Neurons labeled with quantum dots depression Probing the roots of the roots Probing researchhighlights

Vanderbilt Chemists Collaborate with Colleagues in the School of Medicine and Big Pharma in Drug Discovery By Bill Snyder

Drug companies are struggling to fill the Consider these examples:

“pipeline” with new compounds that poten- Dimmer switches in the brain tially can solve important problems in hu- Conn, Lindsley and their colleagues have pioneered a novel approach to treating neurological and psychiatric disorders man health. At the same time, many firms using compounds called “allosteric modulators.” Rather than are downsizing their research operations, turning a receptor “on” or “off” (which is what traditional drugs usually do), allosteric modulators “tune” the receptor function laying off scientists and tightening their up or down, like a dimmer switch in an electrical circuit. The researchers have discovered promising candidates for treating belts, as patent protection ends for some a wide range of disorders including Parkinson’s disease, of their best-selling brand name products. schizophrenia and Fragile X syndrome

Increasingly drug discovery is being outsourced to academia. An estimated 1.5 million Americans have Parkinson’s disease, Vanderbilt’s drug discovery program is flourishing in part a progressive brain disorder characterized by uncontrollable because of growing interdisciplinary collaborations involving muscle tremors and rigidity. It is caused by the death of nerve chemists, biochemists, and pharmacologists working in concert cells in a specific brain region that produce the neurotrans- with the Vanderbilt University Institute of mitter dopamine. Dopamine replacement therapy can relieve (VICB) led by Lawrence J. Marnett, University Professor and symptoms, but it also causes side effects and eventually becomes Mary Geddes Stahlman Professor of Cancer Research, Profes- less effective as the disease progresses. sor of Biochemistry, and Professor of Chemistry. Bold ideas are being pursued thanks to a unique recipe for drug discovery that With support from the NIH and the Michael J. Fox Foundation blends bench science in the Department of Chemistry and other for Parkinson’s Research, the Vanderbilt researchers have identi- basic science departments with clinical medicine, and academia fied drug-like molecules that may avoid the limitations of cur- with industry. Vanderbilt scientists and their physician colleagues rent therapy by acting on a brain receptor that binds a different believe they are on the threshold of a new era of innovation. neurotransmitter, glutamate.

“I think we’re right on the cusp of real breakthroughs because Schizophrenia affects more than 2 million Americans. Current our scientific understanding has increased dramatically,” said therapy can reduce hallucinations and delusions but is less effec- Jeffrey Conn, Professor of and Director of the tive in relieving cognitive symptoms and social withdrawal. Vanderbilt Program in Drug Discovery (VPDD), which explores new treatments for neurological and psychiatric diseases. With funding from the NIH and Janssen Pharmaceutica, a Johnson & Johnson company, Conn’s team is testing ways to “If we are able to overcome the technical hurdles and if we can “tune” a specific glutamate receptor in order to alleviate all find small molecules that inhibit targets that we’re pursuing,” symptoms of schizophrenia. added Stephen Fesik, who holds the Orrin H. Ingram II, Chair in Cancer Research and is Professor of Biochemistry, Profes- Fragile X syndrome is the most common inherited form of intel- sor of Pharmacology, and Professor of Chemistry and a leader lectual and developmental disabilities, and the most common ge- of Vanderbilt’s cancer drug discovery effort, “we could have a netic cause of autism. In collaboration with Seaside Therapeutics dramatic effect on cancer therapy, effects that won’t just give you in Cambridge, Mass., the researchers are trying to “tune down” a slight increase in lifespan … but would actually lead to cures.” signaling through two different brain receptors – one involved in learning and memory, and the other associated with autistic and “One thing that’s unique about Vanderbilt now is we’ve built other behavioral symptoms of Fragile X syndrome. the infrastructure to look just like a pharmaceutical company,” said Craig Lindsley, Professor of Pharmacology and Professor of Chemistry and Director of Medicinal Chemistry in the VCNDD, who, like Conn, came to Vanderbilt from Merck. “We have all of the instrumentation and technology that you’d find at a Merck or a Pfizer or a GlaxoSmithKline.” 11 * Vanderbilt Chemistry 2013

- - larly, bleeding in the brain can, via lipid peroxidation, cause cause peroxidation, via can, lipid in the brain bleeding larly, damage. stroke-like Clinical of Pharma Division Vanderbilt’s who founded Oates, Roberts II, M.D., L. Jackson colleague longtime and cology, if wondered Pharmacology, of Professor Edwin Rogers the T. – a drug acetaminophen for they design a replacement could They the liver. damaging without peroxidation lipid blocks that Chemistry, of Professor Stevenson Porter, Ned with forces joined that. do just to some we will have … that confidence a high of level have “I a mechanism on working because we’re successful compounds said toxicity,” and the both the effectiveness for understand we pull can we that those know to about enough know “We Oates. them apart.” e dose ‘ceiling’ breaking the dose drugs, similar is and in Tylenol the ingredient Acetaminophen, in the world. reliever pain used and fever commonly the most theliver. to toxic is it high doses, however, In causes overdose acetaminophen States, in the United Every year 400 than more – and toxicity liver 50,000 cases than of more Professor Sr. Frist F. the Thomas M.D., Oates, John said deaths, Pharmacology. of professor and Medicine of imposed by dose ‘ceiling’ the 4-gram-a-day for not it Were ease than and pain more do could acetaminophen toxicity, lower his and Oates fever. by conducted studies animal Recent in higher doses the drug that prevent could suggest colleagues neurological and injuries, traumatic following kidney failure in the brain. bleeding following damage the muscle, to oxygen transports that a protein is Myoglobin crushed, is muscle does in the blood. When hemoglobin as just through the kidneys to and, which travels myoglobin, releases it free radicals and generates peroxidation, calleda reaction lipid kidney-killingother products. … they had in Haiti earthquake the recent like a situation “In were that limbs amputating the medieval of to go extreme to Simi noted. Oates kidney failure,” prevent to crushed in order Craig Lindsley and graduate student, Tim Senter, Craig Lindsley and graduate student, Tim Senter, fluid discuss an experiment using the supercritical (SFC) that utilizes chiral columns to chromatograph a racemic mixture, isolate single enantiomers from as well as determine enantiomeric excess of a compound - - - rug DiscoveryDrug

in Pharma Big

ncer ca for hit molecules’ Sulikowski said. Sulikowski tant Professor of Pharmacology, and Research Assistant Profes Assistant Research and Pharmacology, of Professor tant to effort Institute Cancer a National part as of Chemistry, of sor drugs. new cancer The of development the discovery and spur Department and between Medicine the Schoolpartnership of new approaches,” up opens Chemistryof “really Sulikowski also is co-principal investigator with Alex Waterson, Alex Waterson, with investigator also co-principal is Sulikowski Assis Research and Center, Chemical Diversity the Vanderbilt of Gary Sulikowski, Stevenson Professor of Chemistry of associate and Professor Stevenson Gary Sulikowski, another leading is Core, Chemical Synthesis the VICB of director several synthesized has His group drug cancer discovery effort. soil microorganisms. various from isolated antibiotics anti-tumor Fesik is using fragment-based methods – and screening small screening fragment-based methods – and using is Fesik their probe to NMR spectroscopy, with fragments chemical his and He target. a protein small to pockets on bind to ability crystal examine the “hit and of structures thencolleagues obtain show can information This their targets. to bound molecules” with drug-like compounds into link the to fragments them how said. he forward,” move to properties pharmaceutical the “right Protein-protein interactions play a central role in nearly all in nearly role a central play interactions Protein-protein targeting but cells, cancer including in cells, processes signaling those beyond used a new tools set of will require these proteins drug discovery. in traditional sik, was established by a NIH “Grand Opportunities” grant. Fesik Fesik grant. Opportunities” a NIH “Grand by sik, established was prestigious a receive to scientist Vanderbilt also became the first work. his support to Award Pioneer NIH Director’s proteins target to new approaches developing is Fesik Professor be to “undruggable.” considered are currently that ‘ Fe Professor led by drug cancer discovery program, Vanderbilt’s

hemists Collaborate Chemists Vanderbilt and Medicine of School in the Colleagues with researchhighlights

Leipzig collaboration yields valuable relationships

By David Salisbury

In 2007, while Jens Meiler was visiting his was founded in 1409 and has enjoyed 600 parents in Germany, the associate professor of years of uninterrupted teaching and research, making it the second oldest university in Germany. It is also one of Germa- chemistry was invited to give a lecture at his ny’s top 20 research organizations. The university has made it a alma mater, the University of Leipzig. tradition to cross academic boundaries and promote interdisci- plinary research. “When I gave that talk on my research in structural and chemi- cal biology, I found a tremendous amount of interest in what Meiler and his colleagues have received a grant from the National we are doing at Vanderbilt and learned that there is a great deal Science Foundation that has enabled the group to hold research of complementary research going on in Leipzig,” Meiler said. symposia at both Leipzig and Vanderbilt involving faculty from In fact, Meiler stirred up so much interest that two years later both schools, pay for research trips for graduate students, al- Annette Beck-Sickinger, professor of biochemistry and bioor- low faculty to teach short courses at each other’s campuses and ganic chemistry at Leipzig, spent her sabbatical at Vanderbilt. provide postdoctoral and undergraduate students with summer During her visit she helped establish a number of collabora- internships. In addition, several Vanderbilt undergraduates have tions, leading the administrations of the two universities to been awarded scholarships from a German Research Internships sign a five-year memorandum of understanding that allows in Science and Engineering program that has allowed them to and encourages academic exchanges, facilitates joint research carry out research in chemical biology in Leipzig. programs, student programs and a cultural exchange program. Over the last few years, the size of the collaboration has grown The Leipzig connection is one of many cases where grassroots to embrace 20 faculty members at the two universities. More from Vanderbilt researchers have led to formal relation- than 20 graduate students have spent time studying at the ships. Other such international partnerships include Queen’s other campus, and groups of five undergraduates have been University Belfast, which was established by faculty members exchanged for the last few summers. Last October, Leipzig in the Robert Penn Warren Center; the University of Sao Professor Daniel Huster spent 10 days on campus to teach a Paulo, which has productive collaborations in art, education mini-course on the use of NMR spectroscopy in biology. policy and history; and the University of Melbourne, one of Vanderbilt’s strongest relationships, which extends across many “Leipzig has become one of our half-dozen strategic interna- academic fields. tional partners,” said Tim McNamara, vice provost for faculty and international affairs. “It is a very productive relationship and we certainly want it to prosper.” 13 * Vanderbilt Chemistry 2013 Jens Meiler Jens Meiler creates largest world’s protein human-designed - As Meiler, Jens researcher, Vanderbilt his and Chemistry, of Professor sociate human- the largest created have team 242 amino containing designed protein the previous doubling than more acids, FLR,is protein, super-sized The record. - cre that a protein model of a computer Theyused acid histidine. the amino ates the of 400 processors and algorithms Advanced Vanderbilt’s at supercomputer and Research for Center Computing proteins large engineer to Education “This unseen in nature. shapes with new, create need to we the tools us gives other and antibodies effective more Meiler says. beneficialproteins,”

Eva Harth Terry Lybrand Terry

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Faculty Awards and Honors Faculty Awards and Honors

Ned Porter Receives James Flack Norris Award Ned Porter, Stevenson Professor of Chemistry, has received the 2013 James Flack Norris Award from the American Chemical Society. Dr. Porter’s pioneering work has helped chemists recognize that free radicals can act as highly useful intermediates in organic reactions, a lesson that is now included in undergraduate organic chemistry courses. Much of his research has focused on the interaction of free radicals with lipids. Dr. Porter’s recent research has focused on the role of free radical species in a broad range of diseases including cancer, stroke, diabetes, atherosclerosis, Parkinson’s Richard Armstrong Richard Caprioli and Alzheimer’s.

Craig Lindsley receives Philip S. Portoghese Lectureship Craig Lindsley, is the 2013 recipient of the Philip S. Por- toghese Lectureship, awarded jointly by the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry and the American Chemical Society. Lindsley, the William K. Warren Jr. Chair in Medicine and pro- fessor of Chemistry and Pharmacology, is widely recognized as a pioneer who brought technology-enabled synthesis to the forefront of drug discovery chemistry. Using the tech- nology platform he developed, Lindsley has discovered and Stephen Fesik Jeffrey Johnston developed high quality novel compounds in multiple thera- peutic areas, from cancer to neuroscience, and pioneered the medicinal chemistry of allosteric modulation.

Richard Caprioli Elected AAAS Fellow Richard Caprioli, Professor of Chemistry, Stanford Moor Chair in Biochemistry, and Director of the Mass Spectrometry Re- search Center, is among the newest American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Fellows. Caprioli was elected for his distinguished research in the fields of Chem- Craig Lindsley Janet Macdonald istry and Biochemistry, for seminal advances in mass spec- trometry, and innovation imaging/profiling mass spectrom- etry (IMS). Fellows are selected by their peers because of their scientifically or socially distinguished efforts to advance science or its applications.

Richard Armstrong Named American Chemical Society Fellow in 2012 Richard Armstrong, Professor of Biochemistry and Chemistry has been named American Chemical Society (ACS) Fellow in Ned Porter Libin Xu recognition of his “outstanding achievements in and contribu- tions to science, the profession and the society.” He was cited by the ACS as “a leader in the application of multiple disci- plines … to understand the chemistry of biological processes” and for his service to the society. 15 * Vanderbilt Chemistry 2013 - ward ward raining ACS to ppointed A NSF CAREER eceives ommittee on Professional T on Professional ommittee acdonald R Janet Macdonald - of Chemis Professor Assistant Janet E. Macdonald, Foundation Science a National has been awarded try, entitled “SusChEM: was Her proposal Award. Career Sulfides.” Hybrid Nanoparticles of the Copper hybrid new develop to proposal Macdonald’s Prof. in sulfides with applications nanoparticles of copper at the cutting positions her conversion solar energy sci- and materials nanoscience, of chemistry, edge and engineering. ence a team she has recruited University, Vanderbilt At and has leveraged in her lab, work of students to Institute Vanderbilt with the associated resources and Engineering (VINSE). of Nanoscale Science of the Department Pantelides Sokrates Prof. With has al- Macdonald Prof. and Astronomy, of Physics the characterizing important results produced ready sulfide nanomaterials. phase of copper wurtzite-type (CAREER) Development Early Career Faculty The - Founda the National Science represents Program in support of junior awards most prestigious tion’s of teacher-scholars the role who exemplify faculty education excellent research, outstanding through within of education and research and the integration of their organizations. of the mission the context build a firm is to program of the CAREER goal The in integrating leadership of lifetime a for foundation early provides award This education and research. years. five funding for career A Johnston Jeffrey Professor National C President (ACS) Society’s Chemical American The Professor appointed have of Directors and Board on Committee the ACS to N. Johnston Jeffrey beginning in 2013. Training Professional with establishing the is charged committee This chemistry education undergraduate guidelines for review program, degree though the ACS-approved at uni- of these programs 669 ing and accrediting and country, the throughout and colleges versities of chemistry educa- the role policy for formulating tion in allied disciplines ward ward esearch wards and onors and H wards A Faculty ociety Society merican Chemistry eceives Pathway to Independence A Independence to Pathway eceives ancer R in Cancer in Chemistry chievement Outstanding for Honored Fesik Stephen A R Libin Xu Fellow in 2013 Fellow has of Chemistry Professor Stevenson Ned Porter, (ACS) Society Chemical been named American his for is being honored Porter Dr. in 2013. Fellow radical free of organic in the study contributions particularly in the study mechanistic chemistry, oxygen. of lipids and molecular of the reaction was community the ACS to His contribution also noted. Research Cancer for Association American The with the Fesik, W. Stephen recognized recently in Outstanding Achievement for Award AACR 2012 his use for won Fesik Research. in Cancer Chemistry discover (NMR) to of nuclear magnetic resonance molecules that can be used small potent novel, one of the first was He therapeutics. as cancer cancer for NMR spectroscopy utilize to researchers methods NMR many He developed drug discovery. of structures the three-dimensional and determined - in apopto especially those involved proteins, several (structure-activity his “SAR sis. In addition, through of inhibitors NMR” method, several by relationships) discovered. were interactions protein-protein has been Libin Xu Professor Assistant Research - of Health K99 Path an National Institutes awarded grant research The Award. Independence to way as known a human metabolic disorder to is related that results (SLOS) Syndrome Smith-Lemli-Opitz the a mutation in the enzyme that promotes from - conse The biosynthesis. in cholesterol last step - pre is a buildup of a sterol of this defect quence to that is highly susceptible cholesterol to cursor hypothesis Xu’s Dr. with molecular oxygen. reaction are products oxidation his studies is that sterol for in the underlying molecular and causal agents key mechanisms of SLOS. pathophysiological Ned Porter Named A Named Ned Porter wards and onors and H wards A Faculty departmentalaccomplishments

David Wright, Promoted to Professor New Faculty: Janet Macdonald The challenge of David biochemist, developed the Inorganic Chemistry Wright’s research is to “Extractionator” (see the develop an easy-to-use, article on page 4). The ultimate goal for low-cost method to collect Macdonald’s lab is to The extractionator had patient samples from capitalize on new, efficient its genesis in an idea people who live in the technology that captures underwritten by a one poorest areas of the world sunlight in ways that million dollar grant from and systems to process maximize energy transfer the Bill and Melinda Gates those samples to diagnose and facilitate storage doc at Hebrew University Foundation. without energy loss. in Jerusalem. In Israel, she “VU Chemistry is in its was part of a team that The need for reduced ascendancy. These students discovered a copper-based dependence on fossil fuels arrive ready for the kinds nanoparticle that may and increased demand of challenges we present lead to new ways to sense for alternative energy in the classroom and in glucose when diagnosing sources drives our work,” the laboratory. They want diabetes as well as a new says Macdonald. “We are to probe the important way of generating clean exploring semiconductor questions that challenge energy. hybrid nanoparticles which, chemists and they when illuminated, undergo Macdonald is particularly recognize that finding the charge separation. pleased with the graduate, answers means working This separation is the undergraduate, and across disciplines and requirement for light- other students who work looking at research from harvesting technologies in her lab and share her many different angles.” such as photovoltaics and passion. “Great science diseases such as malaria and David Wright came to photocatalysis.” is more than how hard the RSV respiratory virus. Vanderbilt In 2002. you work or how smart Macdonald, joined VU He earned his Ph.D. at you are; it’s about being a Wright and his Chemistry in summer Massachusetts Institute of visionary, about seeing the collaborators, Rick Haselton, 2011, after completing her Technology. possibilities that lie in the a biomedical engineer, doctorate at the University questions.” and Ray Mernaugh, a of Alberta and a post-

John McLean Promoted to Associate Professor of Chemistry

In John McLean’s lab, researchers “Vanderbilt has more mass spec are designing, constructing, and infrastructure than any other applying advanced technologies for university in the country,” says mass spectrometry and structural McLean, who came to Vanderbilt in mass spectrometry. Their work 2006 after completing post-doctoral targets better enabling physicians research at Texas A&M. “There’s a to customize treatment for specific synergistic element to the work we diseases based on the way a patient’s do here at Vanderbilt that makes individual cells and systems function true interdisciplinary collaboration within the context of those diseases. possible. We can ask the Really Big “The Holy Grail is finding ways to Questions that only can be answered understand disease on a molecular when a broad spectrum of specialties basis,” says McLean. “When you do comes together.” that, you can predict who may have a disease or diagnose it earlier.” 17

* Vanderbilt Chemistry 2013

Aegis Sciences Corporation New view of DNA Partnerships Benefits processing ‘hub’ Vanderbilt Chemistry By Leigh McMillen Propagation of our genome requires molecular machines assembled from proteins that process the DNA. At the center of these various machines lies replication protein A (RPA), the central “hub” that serves as the anchor to the DNA. Walter Chazin, Professor of Chemistry and Chancellor’s Chair in Medicine, and colleagues have now combined small-angle X-ray and neu- tron scattering with dynamic molecular modeling to determine how the struc- ture of RPA responds as it engages DNA. They report in Nucleic Acids Research that RPA becomes more compact and less dynamic as it interacts with ssDNA. They also demonstrated that RPA under- goes two transitions as it binds ssDNA, Aegis Sciences Corporation, a forensic sciences company not three as previously believed. providing toxicology and consulting services to sports This research supported by grants from the National organizations, medical examiner systems, crime labora- Institutes of Health (GM065484, GM046312, tories, physicians, corporations and other organizations, CA092584). has awarded a grant to provide graduate fellowships in analytical chemistry at Vanderbilt. Carcinogenic chemicals Chad W. Chumbley, a fourth year student in the research cramp DNA lab of Dr. Richard Caprioli, was the 2012 recipient of the By Melissa Stamm Aegis Fellowship. Chumbley used the award to further his work on the development and validation of methods for Cancer-causing chemicals can bind to quantitative matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization the nucleotide bases of DNA and form imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI IMS) of pharma- lesions called adducts, causing errors ceuticals from tissue sections using an isotopically labeled in DNA copying and transcription. One internal standard. such adduct, N2, 3-ethenoguanine, or N2,3-bG, can result from exposure to MALDI IMS has become an important tool for demon- industrial chemicals like vinyl chloride. strating the distribution of compounds, including potential Carmelo Rizzo, F. Peter Guengerich, therapeutics, directly from tissue sections, a vital step in Martin Egli, and colleagues were able the drug discovery process. to stabilize this adduct and investigate its miscoding potential. The research- MALDI IMS eliminates the requirement for the homogeni- ers found that, in the presence of all zation of tissue and for a radioactive label while providing human Y-family DNA polymerases spatial information within the sample. This is particularly (enzymes that catalyze replication and useful when analyzing tissues containing heterogeneous DNA repair), this adduct incorrectly microenvironments such as granulomas in tuberculosis- forms bonds with thymine instead of its infected lungs. Current projects include determining the normal binding partner cytosine. most accurate and precise method for applying the internal The findings, featured on the cover of and calibration standards and examining the interactions the Journal of Biological Chemistry, pro- between pharmaceuticals with varying chemical properties vide clues to how this adduct may cause and different tissue types. DNA errors that spark cancer formation. graduate studenthighlights

Swedish Collaboration Produces Potential Fuel Cell Applications

Andrew Harris Receives NSF International Research Supplemental Award

Andrew Harris’ research, improving fuel cell functional- (Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland). This international ity while decreasing cost by synthesizing nanoparticle alloy research opportunity is intended to enrich the GRF experience catalysts supported on novel carbon supports for application in by exposing fellows to leading Nordic scientists and institu- proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC), landed him at tions, thus enabling them to develop early-career collabora- the Arctic Circle this past winter. Harris, a fourth year gradu- tions with European research partners. Results are expected to ate student in Chuck Lukehart’s lab, spent 9 months working expand opportunities for innovation and add an international with Henrik Grönbeck in the Chalmers Institute for Technol- dimension to GRF research projects. ogy Competence Center for Catalysis (KCK), a research lab in Goteborg, Sweden. In Sweden, Harris worked on computational research on the binding energies and configurations for metal alloy catalyst Harris was awarded a National Science Foundation Graduate particles on carbon supports for use in fuel cells. In addition to Research Fellowship in 2011, his first year of graduate school working in the lab with only 5 hours of daylight at times, Harris at Vanderbilt. He then took advantage of the international visited the Arctic Circle and experienced dog sledding as well research opportunity offered as a supplemental award for NSF as the Aurora Borealis. GRFs, the Nordic Research Opportunity (NRO), which enables fellows to gain international research experience and establish collaborations with counterparts at Nordic research institutions Graduate Program Four Receive Chemistry in Chemistry Graduate Fellowships 2013 Ph.D. graduates

Leslie Nichole Aldrich Progress Toward the Total Synthesis of Marineosin A and Discovery of M1 of Antagonists and Anticancer Therapeutics

Nathan Scott Alexander Elucidation from Computational Techniques and Sparse EPR Data

Ahmad H. Al-Mestarihi Amanda Duran Alexis Wong Gabriel LeBlanc Tim Senter Oxidation of Deoxyaminosugars by a Novel Flavin Monooxygenase

Amanda Duran and Alexis Wong future leaders in the field of analytical Chia Hua (Jerry) Chang Single Quantum Dot Approach for Molecular Dissection Awarded NSF Graduate Research chemistry. LeBlanc’s research focuses of Serotonin Transporter Regulation in Living Cells Fellowships on studying the interface between a Gongping Chen The National Science Foundation’s photoactive protein, Photosystem I, Electrochemical Analysis and Scanning Electrochemical Graduate Research Fellowship Pro- and electrode materials. The global Microscopy Investigations of Photosystem I gram (GRFP) supports outstanding abundance and exceptional properties Sean Michael DeGuire graduate students in NSF-supported of Photosystem I make this biomate- Total Synthesis of a Bicyclo[ 1.1.0]Butane Fatty Acid and Biosynthetically Empowered Investigation of the Biological science, technology, engineering and rial an ideal candidate for use in solar Activity of Apoptolidin mathematics disciplines. energy conversion devices. His re- Mark Christopher Dobish This year, two graduate students in the search has demonstrated how we can Chiral Bisamidine Catalysis: Enantioselective Alkylations incorporate these biohybrid electrodes and Halolactonizations with Applications to Small Department of Chemistry were award- Molecule Therapeutics ed NSF Graduate Research Fellow- into photovoltaic devices, photo- electrochemical cells, and hydrogen Jeffrey Richard Enders ships. Amanda Duran is a third-year Structural Mass Spectrometry Strategies for Systems Biology graduate student in computational generation systems. Cody Ray Goodwin chemistry in Jens Meiler’s lab. Alexis Advanced Structural Mass Spectrometry Wong is a second-year graduate stu- for Metabolomics dent in David Wright’s lab. tim Senter Awarded ACS Division Jonathan Edward Hempel of Medicinal Chemistry Studies Toward the Total Synthesis of HMP-Y1 The Graduate Program in Chemistry Predoctoral Fellowship and Hibarimicinone is home to four earlier NSF GRF award Tim Senter is a fourth-year graduate Ewa Anna Kowal winners: Brittany Allison (Jens Meiler student working in the lab of Professor Structural Studies of Synthetic Base Analogs in Oligodeoxynucleotides lab), Keersten Davis (David Wright Craig Lindsley. His research involves Lab), Andrew Harris (Chuck Lukehart Chromosomal rearrangements of the Dawn Marie Makley lab), and Nicholas Wright (David Umpolung Amide Synthesis: Applications in Mixed Lineage Leukemia (MLL) gene Enantioselective Peptide Synthesis Wright Lab). leading to fusion proteins that interact Priya Ann Mathew with the protein menin to upregulate Progress Towards the Total Synthesis of Mitomycin C

HOX gene expression, enhancing cell Ryan Matthew Meier gabriel LeBlanc Awarded ACS proliferation and blocking hematopoi- Manganese(II) Indenyl Compounds; Synthesis, Analytical Chemistry Graduate etic differentiation, ultimately leading Characterization, and Reactivity with Oxygen Fellowship Donor Ligands to acute leukemia. Gabriel LeBlanc, a fourth-year Hubert Muchalski The development of small molecule graduate student in the Cliffel research Stereospecific Reactions of a-Amino-b-Diazonium Inter- inhibitors of the menin-MLL fusion mediates: Mechanistic Studies, New Reaction Discovery group, was recently awarded the protein interaction could provide a and their Application to a Two Directional Total Synthesis American Chemical Society (ACS) Di- of (+)-Zwittermicin A new strategy to reverse the oncogenic vision of Analytical Chemistry (DAC) Rebecca Michelle Sandlin activity of MLL fusion proteins in Graduate Fellowship Program (GFP). Hemozoin: A Target-Based Approach to Antimalerial acute leukemias. Drug Discovery This honor supports and recognizes undergraduate studenthighlights

Vanderbilt outreach initiative puts Chemistry Undergraduate chemistry in hands majors with awards of Tennessee students

honors thesis in chemistry By Kara Furlong Patrick Donahue Melinda Shearer Thermodynamic Characterization and Donald E. Pearson Award Structural Determination of DNA with for Outstanding Graduating Senior 5-Hydroxy-2’-deoxycytidine in Majoring in Chemistry Multiple Base Pairing Contexts Amanda Hirsch Tyler Gilcrest Outstanding Undergraduate Computational Docking of Chromone- Research in Chemistry Award Based Inhibitors Into Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (STAT) Proteins Ajan Sivaramamoorthy D. Stanley and Ann T. Tarbell Prize Amanda Hirsch in Organic Chemistry Uncovering Mechanisms of Staphylococcus Aureus Resistance to Small Molecule Tyler Gilcrest Inhibitors That Impair Metabolic Flexibility Thomas W. Martin Prize in Physical Chemistry Joseph Laakman Visualization and Characterization of Patrick Donahue Methylglyoxal Induced DNA-Protein Robert V. Dilts award in Cross-Links Analytical Chemistry Middle school students in Rob- ertson and Dickson counties in Melinda Shearer Miranda So Tennessee are getting hands-on Photosystems I and II for the Production Mark M. Jones award for of Biohybrid Solar Cells Undergraduate Achievement chemistry instruction thanks to a in Inorganic Chemistry Vanderbilt outreach initiative. Pieter Valk It’s called VSVS Rural, a new col- An Investigation of Substrate-Selective laboration between Vanderbilt Stu- Inhibitors of Cyclooxygenase-2 dent Volunteers for Science and the Vanderbilt Institute of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, directed Class of 2013 by Sandra Rosenthal, the Jack and ACS Certified Bachelor Degrees in Chemistry Pamela Egan professor of chemistry at Vanderbilt. Naveed Bakh Zachary Glaser Melinda Shearer VSVS Rural distributes kits contain- ing chemistry projects as well as Matthew Bojanowski Tony Guan Brian Shen instructions to Middle Tennessee Eric Chang Amanda Hirsch Ajan Sivaramoorthy schoolteachers. Each kit serves Jared Coe Adam Horta Savannah Smith up to 30 students and includes a PowerPoint lesson, hands-on Anton Cattrill Joseph Laakman Miranda So experiments and worksheets that Peter Davidson Kristin Paul Pieter Valk supplement the Tennessee cur- Patrick Donahue Maria Sarmiento riculum. Topics include chemical energy conversion, convection Tyler Gilcrest Maya Seuarine chimneys, chemical reactions, elec- tromagnetism, and the elements of compounds and mixtures. 21 * Vanderbilt Chemistry 2013

2013 Colloquium Speakers

Colloquia Speakers 2012-2013 The Chemistry Colloquium Professor Brandon Ashfeld, University of Dr. Paul Lobben, Bristol-Myers-Squibb: Series is a mainstay of VU Notre Dame: “Tailoring Chemoselective “Process Development of Brivanib Alaninate, Chemistry, broadening knowl- Nucleophilic Acyl Substitutions for Natural a VEGFR/FGFR Inhibitor” Products and Designed Materials Synthesis” edge of emerging science and Professor John McLean, Professor Jochen Autschbach, Vanderbilt University: “Structural mass deepening connections between University of Buffalo: spectrometry strategies for systems biology” researchers at all levels. “Spectroscopic parameters obtained ‘in silico’” Professor Nicholas Reiter, Vanderbilt Univer- Following are 2012-2013 Professor Brian Baker, University of Notre sity, “Structural mechanisms of the ribonucle- speakers. Dame: “Biophysics of Molecular Recognition ase P enzyme and the emerging themes of by Alpha/Beta T Cell Receptors” RNA-based shape recognition.” Mitchum E. Warren Jr. Lecture Professor Babek Borhan, Professor Adam Renslo, University of Professor George M. Whitesides, Michigan State University: “Stereoelectronic California, San Francisco: “Applications of Harvard University, “’Simplicity as a Determinants of Color Vision: Engineering Chemical Biology in Lead Discovery for Component of Invention” Protein Mimics of Pigmented Rhodopsins and Infectious Disease” Designing New Protein Fusion Tags” Professor Raymond Schaak, Arthur William Ingersoll Professor Abhishek Chatterjee, The Pennsylvania State University: Memorial Lecture Boston College, “Discovery and Engineering “Synthetic Design Tools for Complex Professor Stephen Buchwald, of Novel Biochemical Systems: I. Understand- Inorganic Solids and Nanostructures” Massachusetts Institute ing the Biosynthesis of Vitamin B1 and II. Professor Eric Skaar, Vanderbilt University: Expanding the Scope of Unnatural Amino of Technology, “Using small molecule probes to study the Acid Mutagenesis in vivo” “Palladium-Catalyzed Carbon- bacterial heme paradox” Nitrogen and Carbon-Carbon Professor Emily Derbyshire, Professor Guido Verbeck, University of Bond-Forming Harvard University: “A Chemical Genetics North Texas: “New Development in Mass Reactions: Progress, Applications Study of Liver Stage Malaria” and Mechanistic Studies” Spectrometry: From Single Cell Analysis to Professor Eric Ferreira, Colorado State Uni- Preparative Devices” versity: “Accessing and Harnessing Metalated Frederic LeRoy Conover Lecture Professor Larry Walker, The University of Intermediates toward Synthetic Utility” Professor Jonathan Sweedler, Mississippi, “Approaches to the discovery of University of Illinois at Professor Kamil Godula, University of better 8-aminoquinoline antimalarial drugs Urbana-Champaign, California – San Diego, “Synthetic Mucin with improved hematological safety profile in “Mass Spectrometry-based Mimetics: Nanoscale Tools for Glycobiology” G-6-PD deficiency” Metabolomics and Chemical Imaging Professor Kenneth Henderson, Professor Brian Weiner, Vanderbilt for Probing the Cellular Heterogeneity University of Notre Dame: “ Control of University, “BCL::MP-Fold: Folding in the Brain.” network assembly and stabilization of geminal Membrane Proteins through Assembly dianions using alkali metal aggregates” of Trans-Membrane Helices” Sigma-Aldrich Lectures Professor Seth Herzon, Yale University, Professor Emily Weiss, Professor Melanie Sanford, “Target-Driven Total Synthesis” Northwestern University, The University of Michigan, “A Molecule to Detect and Perturb the Professor Piotr Kaszynski, “Recent Developments Confinement of Charge Carriers in Vanderbilt University, “Pushing the in Metal Catalyzed C-H Bond Colloidal Quantum Dots” Boundaries of Liquid Crystal Research” Functionalization” Professor David Wright, Professor Rebecca Lai, Vanderbilt University, Professor Michael Krische, University of Nebraska-Lincoln: “Diagnosing Disease without a Net ” The University of Texas at Austin, “Folding-based Electrochemical Biosensors” “Hydrogenation for C-C Bond Professor Bo Zhang, Professor Scott Laughlin, Stonybrook Formation” : University, “Chemical tools for the biologi- “Fluorescence-enabled Electrochemistry cal frontier: (I) Imaging the glycome and (II) Howard Smith Lecture and Single-Cell Imaging” Professor Peter Wipf, controlling instinctive fear neural circuitry” Professor Xuan Zhao, The University of University of Pittsburgh, “Computa- Professor Juliette Lecomte, Johns Hopkins Memphis: “Design of photocatalytic systems tional Solutions for Stereochemical University: “Hemoglobin in fold only: Novel for H2 production” Problems in Organic Synthesis” chemistry in an ancient protein” In 1879, Vanderbilt University’s first doctoral degree was awarded, in chemistry, to James Thomas Anderson. The study of chemistry was a cornerstone of the institution’s early curriculum and laid the groundwork for graduates’ success in emerging fields.

Chemistry Students in Furman Hall, 1920

Department of Chemistry VU Station B, Box 351822 • Nashville, TN 37235-1822 (615) 322-2861

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