Dieter Bingemann, Physical Chemist

From window materials to synthetic polymers, from fiber optics to proteins, glasses and their unique properties play a significant role in our daily lives. The molecular dynamics of proteins, glasses, and supercooled liquids are very different compared to smaller molecules or regular liquids. For example, molecular relaxation processes show a very strong (and unusual) non exponential response to perturbations. In the past few years the focus of research on these materials has gradually shifted from a macroscopic description of properties to their analysis on a molecular scale. One especially promising result explains their unusual properties as a consequence of a strong dependence of a molecule's dynamics on the structure of its environment, a correlation often called "dynamic heterogeneity." Our research will follow this molecular description of the protein and glass dynamics to its extreme: we will observe the dynamics one molecule at a time.

Raymond Chang, Physical Chemist

Free radicals are chemically reactive species that are the intermediates of many reactions. We are interested in developing a new method for generating neutral free radicals which will be characterized by electron spin resonance spectroscopy. In particular, we will study the electronic structure and geometry of these radicals.

Amy Gehring, Biochemist

If you have smelled fresh dirt, you have already been introduced to bacteria of the genus Streptomyces. In addition to producing the characteristic odor of dirt, these common soil bacteria manufacture the majority of known antibiotics. These medicinally-important compounds are produced during the course of the bacterium’s unusual and complicated life cycle that culminates in sporulation. Research in my lab involves understanding the regulation of this developmental process and concurrent antibiotic production in the model organism Streptomyces coelicolor. Beginning with mutant strains that are defective in certain aspects of development, we have identified genes and thereby proteins that are necessary to progress through the various stages of the bacterium’s life cycle.  Current projects in the lab include (1) using proteomics approaches including 2D gel electrophoresis and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry to characterize changes in the cell resulting from activity of a stress response sigma factor; (2) characterizing the activity of a potential transcription factor required for sporulation; and (3) assaying the effects of various mutations on antibiotic production.

Sarah Goh, Organic Chemist

Our research investigates non-covalent assemblies based on biological system through: development of self-assembled hydrogels by integrating synthetic polymer and protein-mimetic components, resulting in materials with tunable properties and function. Advancement of enzymatic polymerization methodologies for the preparation of functional polymers by exploring active site geometries through genetic engineering. Evaluation of protein- and polysaccharide-based platforms for the targeted placement of active nano-catalyst centers in order to control macroscale function and architecture of these assemblies.

Lawrence Kaplan, Biochemist/Forensic Scientist

DNA is packaged in the cell nucleus by wrapping around basic proteins called histones.  The histone/DNA complex is called chromatin.  Most chromatin consists of histones H2A, H2B, H3, H4 and a linker histone H1.  The erythrocytes in mammals do not have a nucleus and therefore have no net protein or DNA synthesis. 

Charles Lovett, Biochemist

DNA damage by agents in the environment poses a constant threat to the survival of all organisms.  In order to maintain the integrity of their genetic material, cells respond to such damage by activating, or inducing, a large repertory of enzymes that repair DNA and otherwise provide for cellular survival.  Exposure of bacteria to DNA damaging agents results in the induction of a diverse set of physiological responses, collectively called the SOS response, which include enhanced capacity for recombinational repair, enhanced capacity for excision repair, enhanced mutagenesis, prophage induction, and inhibition of cell division.  The research in our laboratory focuses on the SOS response in the bacterium Bacillus subtilis, a close cousin of the anthrax bacterium. Using a genomic screen, coupled with biochemical studies and microarray analyses, we have identified about forty genes that comprise the B. subtilis SOS response.  Using a combination of genetic, proteomic, and biochemical analyses we are trying to understand how the integrated activities of the SOS gene products provide for the cell's response to DNA damage.

Lee Park, Inorganic Chemist

Research in my lab involves the design of new one-dimensional conductors (molecular wires) based on simple small molecules.  Interest in one-dimensionally conductive materials is very high due to advancements and new directions in the development of nanoscale devices, for which molecular wires will be a critical component.  Our approach to creating these structures involves a self-assembly-based strategy.  By designing small molecules with appropriate liquid crystalline properties, we should be able to fashion component molecules that will organize themselves into the kind of nanostructures that we are interested in. Work in my lab involves design, synthesis and characterization of mesogenic complexes and ligands as well as fabrication of nanostructured template (porous aluminum oxide) materials that will be used in characterizing charge transport properties.  We hope to study the relationship between the electronic and molecular structure of our component molecules and the conductivity of the larger self-assembled structures that result.

Enrique Peacock-Lopez, Physical Chemist

A large number of biochemical systems show regulatory feedback mechanistic steps either at the cellular level, like in the HIV-Rev protein, or at the physiological level, like in the hypothalamous-pituitary-adrenal hormonal system.  Our group has been studying the molecular basis of different chemical, biochemical and physiological mechanisms and has proposed several dynamic models to explain observed temporal and chaotic oscillation in the concentrations of relevant metabolites.

We have concentrated most of our effort in understanding chemical self-replication, where several chemical systems have been designed experimentally.  For example, oligonucleotides have been considered by von Kiedrowski's, Orgel's and Nicolau's groups, and peptides have been studied by Gadhiri's and Chmielewski's groups.  More recently Joyce's group designed a self-replicating and a cross-catalytic self-replicating ribozymes, which may be better suited for Darwiniam evolution than the oligonucleotide or peptide systems.  In the case of cross-catalytic mechanisms, we have considered the dynamics of competitive systems and mutualistic hypercycles.  We also continue studying and modeling the transport of incompletely spliced mRNAs across the nuclear membrane, which is regulated by HIV-Rev protein, and we have studied the behavior of an insect-predator-ant system, and we want to develop mathematical models that we will allow us to improve our understanding of species competition and coexistence.

David Richardson, Organic Chemist

Nature is a superb organic chemist.  While taking care of the day-to-day business of being alive, living systems deftly assemble organic molecules of incredible complexity and subtle beauty.  My research involves synthesis, isolation and characterization of naturally-occurring substances, particularly those with interesting biological activity.  Current areas of study involve toxic agents from Southeast Asian dart poisons, allelopathic agents from local plants, the analysis of PCB contamination in the Hoosic River watershed and perchlorate contamination in local watertables, and the analysis of heterocylic organic molecules by 15N-NMR spectroscopy.

Anne F. Skinner, Physical Chemist

My work focuses on the interface between chemistry and two other disciplines, geology and archaeology. A relatively new way of determining the age of materials is to look at radiation damage caused by radioisotopes in the material itself and in its surroundings. Oversimplified, the longer something has been buried, the more damage should be found. The extent of damage can be measured with electron spin resonance (ESR), a technique that looks at the unpaired electrons often found when a stable bond is broken.

Geological applications have included following the rise and fall of sea levels due to ice ages by dating shells of species known to live in shallow water, and clarifying the development of soils in the Mississippi Valley. Other sites have ranged from the coral reefs of the Bahamas to ancient sea shores in Australia. Usually the geologist has a broad sense of probable scenarios, and ESR dating allows one to choose the best one.

Applications to archaeology (and paleoanthropology) cover the time range from New World flint artifacts to teeth and bones from million-year old sites associated with human evolution. The usual samples are teeth of large mammals found in the same site as hominid remains and/or artifacts. Hominid teeth themselves are generally too rare and too small to yield good results.

Thomas E. Smith, Organic Chemist

My research interests lie within the broad category of organic synthesis. Synthesis plays a central role in organic chemistry, and advances in this area impact upon a wide variety of investigations at the molecular level including those relating to biology, pharmacology, materials science, and reaction mechanism. My current focus is on the development of new methods for increased efficiency in organic synthesis and their application to molecules of biological significance.

A current research theme, funded by the National Science Foundation, is directed toward the asymmetric synthesis of pyran-based natural products. Recently, we completed a general asymmetric synthesis of the kavalactones, the active constituents of the kava plant, which has been used for centuries in South Pacific cultures for its sedative and muscle relaxing effects. A total synthesis of the antiviral marine natural product, hennoxazole A, was also just completed in our lab. The synthetic methods developed to assemble these molecules are now being extended to the preparation of other target molecules.

Jay Thoman, Physical Chemist

Inter- and intramolecular forces help determine the shape and behavior of molecules.  Using the gas-phase fire-suppressant molecules known as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) as model systems, my colleagues and I use laser spectroscopic techniques to probe the vibrational overtones of CH stretches and to learn about molecular structure and dynamics.  We use ab initio computational chemistry to model these vibrations, and their impact on atmospheric chemistry.  Working with Dave Richardson, we synthesize deuterated fluorocarbons; these isotopically substituted HFCs are used to test theories of hydrogen bonding and energy transfer.

The local environment provides many chemical research opportunities.  Using the resources of the Environmental Analysis Laboratory on campus, I have collaborated on projects including studies of: lead in urban soils intended for community gardens, perchlorate ions in drinking water at the local high school, PCBs in the Hoosic River, and heavy metals in fish taken from local ponds.