New Research Grants, Sumer 2008

Jonathan Dinman, Professor of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, has received a renewal of his grant from the National Institutes of Health for his project on “Translational Fidelity in Eukaryotes.” This project seeks to understand how the atomic scale structure of the ribosome, which is the central component in the cellular synthesis of new proteins and ultimately determines its function. Dr. Dinman’s focus has been to link ribosome structure with its critical functions by targeting evolutionarily conserved features of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae ribosome, which represents the most genetically and biochemically malleable model eukaryotic system available. A deeper understanding of the relationship between ribosome structure and function will aid the rational design of new classes of drugs designed to target viruses, bacteria, a diverse array of cancers, developmental disorders, and other critical diseases afflicting society. This 4-year grant is for $1.2 million.

Michael Doyle, Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry, has received a five year award from the National Science Foundation for his project, "Exploring the Multi-valency of Dirhodium Carboxamidates: From Catalytic Mechanisms of Oxidation to Materials Applications."  Doyle’s efforts focus on two fundamental discoveries in dirhodium carboxamidate chemistry.  The first is chemical oxidations of organic compounds using dirhodium carboxamidates as catalysts and hydroperoxides as oxidants that provide highly efficient access to complex organic compounds.  His research group has provided the first complete understanding of these complex processes.  The second is based on Dr. Doyle's discovery that diaxially-bound diaryl-dirhodium(III,III) carboxamidates are formed by oxidation of dirhodium(II) carboxamidates. The potential of these compounds as new organometallic materials for conduction and insulation is being explored. The grant total is $581K.

Barbara Gerratana, Assistant Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry, has received a grant from the National Institutes of Health for her project on the "Biosynthesis of Pyrrolobenzodiazepines (PBDs), Potent Antitumor Antibiotics." PBDs are compounds naturally produced by bacteria with potent antitumor properties. PBDs’ remarkable broad spectrum of activities and effectiveness against a wide variety of cancers encourages the development of new PBDs. Dr. Gerratana is proposing to study how nature carries out the synthesis of these compounds. The genetic and enzymological knowledge obtained can then be used to produce new analogs of these compounds. This grant runs through March 2009 and is for $236K.

Arthur N. Popper, Professor of Biology, has received a three year grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Minerals Management Service (MMS) for his project "The Effects of Pile Driving Sounds on Auditory and Non-Auditory Tissues of Fish." Dr. Popper and Dr. Michelle Halvorsen, Assistant Research Scientist, will investigate the effects of high intensity sounds produced from pile driving activities on the non-auditory tissues of fish species. With MMS’s new mandate to oversee alternative energy development, they need to evaluate the possible adverse impacts of noise on marine organisms. Pile driving and other activities for the construction of alternative energy facilities, such as offshore wind parks, will generate considerable noise, the intensity and duration of which may cause damage to fish in the same area. The results of this quantitative study will provide the first comprehensive understanding of the effects on fish tissues of pile driving. The project will run through 2011 and the total grant amount is for $809K.

Herman O Sintim, Associate Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry, received a Career Award from the National Science Foundation for his project "New Chemical Tools to Study c-di-GMP Signaling in Bacteria." C-di-GMP (3’,5’-cyclic diguanylic acid) has emerged as a common chemical messenger that is uniquely present in bacteria. C-di-GMP plays a central role in bacterial biofilm formation and regulation of virulence-related factors in diverse bacteria. Sintim proposes to use a chemical technology that was recently developed in his laboratory, to make c-di-GMP analogs that will be useful in elucidating the signaling cascades that c-di-GMP apparently regulates. The grant runs for 5 years for a total amount of $750K.