Organic Chemistry
Study the structure, reactivity, and synthesis of natural and man-made carbon-containing compounds at Central Michigan University.
Dr. Anton Jensen
We are using model compounds to study mechanisms of enzymatic reactions. We are especially interested in reactions that use cofactors derived from vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and vitamin B3 (niacin). The cofactors include NADH/NADPH, FAD, FMN, and others. Students in my lab typically gain expertise in the areas of organic synthesis, separation, spectroscopic analysis, and enzyme inhibition/kinetics.
Dr. Choon Lee
Investigation of anti-cancer agents; Synthesis of antioxidant dendrimers for biological applications.
Dr. Dillip Mohanty
Nitric oxide, an endogenously produced gaseous molecule, plays a critical role in human physiology. A deficiency of this small molecule can promote a variety of maladies. We are interested in the preparation and characterization of slow and sustained nitric oxide releasing low molecular weight, polymeric and dendritic materials, which can mimic biological release of nitric oxide. The other goal of our group is to develop efficient modified activated carbon for sequestering toxic heavy metal ions from water.
Dr. Ben Swarts
Our research draws from the fields of organic chemistry, biochemistry, and microbiology to develop chemical biology tools for investigating and targeting cell envelope components in mycobacteria and related bacteria, which include the pathogen that causes tuberculosis. We are particularly interested in developing new carbohydrate-based probes to study the composition, dynamics, and functions of the mycobacterial outer membrane, or mycomembrane, which we are actively targeting for tuberculosis drug and diagnostic development.