Symposium

Department of Chemistry

Elizabeth Blaney

Professor Deborah Heyl-Clegg, Sponsor

A Minimal Sequence Peptide Inhibitor for -Amylase

The crystal structure of amylase enzyme bound to the protein inhibitor Tendamistat reveals which particular amino acids interact at the active site. A small peptide analog of this inhibitor, which links two of these important segments with novel aminoacid spacers, was synthesized and analyzed for inhibitory activity using kinetic test tube color assays. Results may help define minimal sequence requirements and molecular level interactions, leading to development of therapeutic agents for hyperglycemia and diabetes.

Session A - Tower Room - 8:30 a.m.~8:45 a.m.

Linda Michelle Einhorn

Professor Larry Kolopajlo, Sponsor

Water Quality Parameters in the Stoney Creek Watershed

The Stoney Creek Watershed, which passes through both Ypsilanti and Monroe Counties, is being examined for a variety of inorganic pollutants including: alkalinity, chloride, conductivity, copper, dissolved oxygen, hardness, fluoride, iron, mercury, nitrate, pH, phosphate, sodium, sulfate and total dissolved solids. Water samples were taken at five points as determined by a global positioning system. The water samples were analyzed for the above parameters using methods taken from: Standard Methods for the Analysis of Water and Wastewater.

Poster - Guild Hall - 9:00 a.m.~12:30 p.m.

Adam Gracon

Professor Maria C. Milletti, Sponsor

Computational Characterization of a Series of Eicosanoids

Abinitio molecular orbital calculations were used to elucidate structural and electronic characteristics of a series of eicosanoids. These molecules had previously been used to examine the specificity of the 14,15-DHET ELISA, where it was found that there was very little bonding affinity for any of the eicosanoids tested. Results of the calculations were used to identify potential factors that contribute to the extent of binding with the ELISA.

Poster - Guild Hall - 9:00 a.m.~12:30 p.m.

Nan Houser

Professor Ruth Ann Armitage, Sponsor

Characterization of Clays and 17th Century Bricks from Historic St. Mary's City, Maryland

Bricks from the 1667 Chapel in Historic St. Mary's City, Maryland differ significantly from those used in other buildings at this site. Some archaeological evidence indicates that bricks were manufactured locally. Neutron activation analysis to determine the chemical compositions of local clay sources and historical bricks will provide important evidence about the origin of the bricks from this little known but historically important colonial building. Application of nuclear analytical chemistry to archaeological materials will be discussed.

Poster - Guild Hall - 9:00 a.m.~12:30 p.m.

Michael J. Hyde

Professor Timothy L. Friebe, Sponsor

An Acid-Catalyzed Aldol Reaction Under Microwave-Induced Solvent-Free Conditions

The base-catalyzed aldol reaction has long been an important synthetic tool for the preparation of unsaturated aldehydes and ketones. However, there are few synthetically useful reports of the corresponding acid-catalyzed version of the reaction. This presentation describes a simple acid-catalyzed aldol reaction run under solvent-free conditions using a common microwave oven as a heat source. The scope and limitations of the method will be presented.

Session A - Tower Room - 8:45 a.m.~9:00 a.m.

Christopher Knight

Professor Maria C. Milletti, Sponsor

Theoretical Characterization of the Potential Energy Surfaces of 2-(3-Benzylaminopropanoylamino)benzamide

While searching for a synthetic route to compounds related to the widely used tranquilizers, benzodiazepines, a group of quinazolinones was unexpectedly isolated. In order to elucidate the reasons for this result, the structure and reactivity of the intermediate of the reaction, the Michael product 2-(3-benzylaminopropanoyl-amino)benzamide, were investigated via molecular orbital calculations. The potential energy surface for this molecule was characterized and results were used to predict possible reaction pathways.

Session B - Faculty Lounge - 10:45 a.m.~11:00 a.m.

Christopher Knight

Professor Arthur S. Howard, Sponsor

Microwave Synthesis and Investigation of Some Nitrogen Heterocycles

The application of the microwave oven as a source of energy for reactions is a growing interest in organic syntheses. From an initial interest in the synthesis of compounds related to the widely used tranquilizers, benzodiazepines, a group of two-substituted quinazolinones has been isolated. Conventional thermal reactions requiring 24 hours can be reproduced in the microwave oven with irradiation periods of 10 minutes. Details of the reaction leading to the formation of the quinazolinone and its further reactions are discussed.

Poster - Guild Hall - 9:00 a.m.~12:30 p.m.

Mace Mattieson

Professor Timothy R. Brewer, Sponsor

The Effects of Various Quenching Agents on Excited 2,2'-Bipyridine Ruthenium (II) Dichloride Hexahydrate

Chemicals known as quenching agents can be used to influence the lifetimes of excited molecules. This happens if the quenching molecules become excited themselves, or if the quenching molecules accept electrons from the originally excited molecule. In this experiment, laser fluorescence spectroscopy was used to observe changes in the excited lifetimes of 2,2'-bipyridine ruthenium (II) dichloride hexahydrate, and to determine how various solvents and solutes in the solvents can influence quenching.

Session B - Faculty Lounge - 11:00 a.m.~11:15 a.m.

Reiko Peterson

Professor Michael Brabec and Robert Maher (Pfizer Global Research and Development), Sponsors

Automating the In Vitro Micronucleus Assay

An automated in vitro micronucleus assay was developed to allow for high-throughput screening of compounds. This assay is based on analysis of digitized images that are analyzed with an automated algorithm. The micronucleus assay serves as one of the earliest carcinogenicity screens of candidate compounds in the drug development process.

Session A - Tower Room - 9:00 a.m.~9:15 a.m.

RaShawn Rushing

Professor Maria C. Milletti, Sponsor

Analysis of Oxidized Arachidonic Acid and Product Stability

Oxidizing arachidonic acid yields many products, one of which is the aldehyde, 4-hydroxynonenal. When examined by gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy, this molecule becomes unstable and disintegrates. The addition of a silyl group prevents it from falling apart. Molecular orbital calculations were performed to determine why 4-hydroxynonenal is unstable and why the addition of a silyl group stabilizes it.

Poster - Guild Hall - 9:00 a.m.~12:30 p.m.

Kristie Mitchell, Ronique Keanes-Dawes and Gregory Fondren

Professor Steven Pernecky, Sponsor

Myoglobin-Stimulated Destruction of Arachidonyl-Containing Phospholipids

One consequence of myoglobin release into the blood is production of necrotic lesions in the kidney, which may compromise its function. The ability of myoglobin to induce peroxidative breakdown of the main polyunsaturated fatty acid, arachidonic acid, in phospholipids that comprise cell membranes was evaluated in this study as a model for an early event in myoglobin-induced toxicity. The role of reactive oxygen species and effect of pH on the reaction were examined.

Poster - Guild Hall - 9:00 a.m.~12:30 p.m.


			Department of Chemistry Elizabeth Blaney Professor Deborah Heyl-Clegg, Sponsor A Minimal Sequence Peptide Inhibitor for -Amylase The crystal structure of amylase enzyme bound to the protein inhibitor Tendamistat reveals which particular amino acids interact at the active site. A small peptide analog of this inhibitor, which links two of these important segments with novel aminoacid spacers, was synthesized and analyzed for inhibitory activity using kinetic test tube color assays. Results may help define minimal sequence requirements and molecular level interactions, leading to development of therapeutic agents for hyperglycemia and diabetes. Session A - Tower Room - 8:30 a.m.~8:45 a.m. Linda Michelle Einhorn Professor Larry Kolopajlo, Sponsor Water Quality Parameters in the Stoney Creek Watershed The Stoney Creek Watershed, which passes through both Ypsilanti and Monroe Counties, is being examined for a variety of inorganic pollutants including: alkalinity, chloride, conductivity, copper, dissolved oxygen, hardness, fluoride, iron, mercury, nitrate, pH, phosphate, sodium, sulfate and total dissolved solids. Water samples were taken at five points as determined by a global positioning system. The water samples were analyzed for the above parameters using methods taken from: Standard Methods for the Analysis of Water and Wastewater. Poster - Guild Hall - 9:00 a.m.~12:30 p.m. Adam Gracon Professor Maria C. Milletti, Sponsor Computational Characterization of a Series of Eicosanoids Abinitio molecular orbital calculations were used to elucidate structural and electronic characteristics of a series of eicosanoids. These molecules had previously been used to examine the specificity of the 14,15-DHET ELISA, where it was found that there was very little bonding affinity for any of the eicosanoids tested. Results of the calculations were used to identify potential factors that contribute to the extent of binding with the ELISA. Poster - Guild Hall - 9:00 a.m.~12:30 p.m. Nan Houser Professor Ruth Ann Armitage, Sponsor Characterization of Clays and 17th Century Bricks from Historic St. Mary's City, Maryland Bricks from the 1667 Chapel in Historic St. Mary's City, Maryland differ significantly from those used in other buildings at this site. Some archaeological evidence indicates that bricks were manufactured locally. Neutron activation analysis to determine the chemical compositions of local clay sources and historical bricks will provide important evidence about the origin of the bricks from this little known but historically important colonial building. Application of nuclear analytical chemistry to archaeological materials will be discussed. Poster - Guild Hall - 9:00 a.m.~12:30 p.m. Michael J. Hyde Professor Timothy L. Friebe, Sponsor An Acid-Catalyzed Aldol Reaction Under Microwave-Induced Solvent-Free Conditions The base-catalyzed aldol reaction has long been an important synthetic tool for the preparation of unsaturated aldehydes and ketones. However, there are few synthetically useful reports of the corresponding acid-catalyzed version of the reaction. This presentation describes a simple acid-catalyzed aldol reaction run under solvent-free conditions using a common microwave oven as a heat source. The scope and limitations of the method will be presented. Session A - Tower Room - 8:45 a.m.~9:00 a.m. Christopher Knight Professor Maria C. Milletti, Sponsor Theoretical Characterization of the Potential Energy Surfaces of 2-(3-Benzylaminopropanoylamino)benzamide While searching for a synthetic route to compounds related to the widely used tranquilizers, benzodiazepines, a group of quinazolinones was unexpectedly isolated. In order to elucidate the reasons for this result, the structure and reactivity of the intermediate of the reaction, the Michael product 2-(3-benzylaminopropanoyl-amino)benzamide, were investigated via molecular orbital calculations. The potential energy surface for this molecule was characterized and results were used to predict possible reaction pathways. Session B - Faculty Lounge - 10:45 a.m.~11:00 a.m. Christopher Knight Professor Arthur S. Howard, Sponsor Microwave Synthesis and Investigation of Some Nitrogen Heterocycles The application of the microwave oven as a source of energy for reactions is a growing interest in organic syntheses. From an initial interest in the synthesis of compounds related to the widely used tranquilizers, benzodiazepines, a group of two-substituted quinazolinones has been isolated. Conventional thermal reactions requiring 24 hours can be reproduced in the microwave oven with irradiation periods of 10 minutes. Details of the reaction leading to the formation of the quinazolinone and its further reactions are discussed. Poster - Guild Hall - 9:00 a.m.~12:30 p.m. Mace Mattieson Professor Timothy R. Brewer, Sponsor The Effects of Various Quenching Agents on Excited 2,2'-Bipyridine Ruthenium (II) Dichloride Hexahydrate Chemicals known as quenching agents can be used to influence the lifetimes of excited molecules. This happens if the quenching molecules become excited themselves, or if the quenching molecules accept electrons from the originally excited molecule. In this experiment, laser fluorescence spectroscopy was used to observe changes in the excited lifetimes of 2,2'-bipyridine ruthenium (II) dichloride hexahydrate, and to determine how various solvents and solutes in the solvents can influence quenching. Session B - Faculty Lounge - 11:00 a.m.~11:15 a.m. Reiko Peterson Professor Michael Brabec and Robert Maher (Pfizer Global Research and Development), Sponsors Automating the In Vitro Micronucleus Assay An automated in vitro micronucleus assay was developed to allow for high-throughput screening of compounds. This assay is based on analysis of digitized images that are analyzed with an automated algorithm. The micronucleus assay serves as one of the earliest carcinogenicity screens of candidate compounds in the drug development process. Session A - Tower Room - 9:00 a.m.~9:15 a.m. RaShawn Rushing Professor Maria C. Milletti, Sponsor Analysis of Oxidized Arachidonic Acid and Product Stability Oxidizing arachidonic acid yields many products, one of which is the aldehyde, 4-hydroxynonenal. When examined by gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy, this molecule becomes unstable and disintegrates. The addition of a silyl group prevents it from falling apart. Molecular orbital calculations were performed to determine why 4-hydroxynonenal is unstable and why the addition of a silyl group stabilizes it. Poster - Guild Hall - 9:00 a.m.~12:30 p.m. Kristie Mitchell, Ronique Keanes-Dawes and Gregory Fondren Professor Steven Pernecky, Sponsor Myoglobin-Stimulated Destruction of Arachidonyl-Containing Phospholipids One consequence of myoglobin release into the blood is production of necrotic lesions in the kidney, which may compromise its function. The ability of myoglobin to induce peroxidative breakdown of the main polyunsaturated fatty acid, arachidonic acid, in phospholipids that comprise cell membranes was evaluated in this study as a model for an early event in myoglobin-induced toxicity. The role of reactive oxygen species and effect of pH on the reaction were examined. Poster - Guild Hall - 9:00 a.m.~12:30 p.m.