Past Undergraduate Researchers
- Lauren Gann
- Peggy Guo
- Marlies Hager
- Nick Hargreaves
- Elisa Rebolini
- Jake Reynolds
Urbach Research Group
A current direction in drug design involves the coupling of numerous drug molecules onto a common scaffold so that the resulting "multivalent" drug can bind its target numerous times. Theoretically, the ensemble should bind much more tightly than an individual drug molecule, but this has been observed very rarely. More commonly, there is only a small increase in binding strength. Efforts in the field to optimize the design of the ensemble have largely failed and are limited by substantial technical problems, such as the synthesis of large, hydrophilic compounds. The Urbach Group has recently developed a class of multivalent compounds that bind to peptides and are straightforward to synthesize, modify, and characterize (see Journal of the American Chemical Society 2009, 131, 2408).
We have evidence that entropy is to blame for suboptimal binding, and we are in the process of using our approach to systematically study the effects of conformational freedom on multivalent binding. This project involves techniques of solid-phase organic synthesis, NMR and circular dicrhoism spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and isothermal titration calorimetry.
Applicants must adhere to Chemistry department procedures and deadlines.
Qualifications of successful applicants
The successful applicant will have genuine enthusiasm for chemistry, scientific curiosity, attention to detail, and strong work ethic, and will have performed well in at least two semesters of chemistry and biology with the corresponding laboratory courses. New students to the Urbach Group will be expected to meet weekly with Prof. Urbach during the spring semester in order to discuss concept, literature, and techniques in preparation for the summer. Previous research experience is not necessary.
In 2011, students will be supervised by Dr. Vijay Ramalingam.
