Open Tenure Track Assistant Professor Positions – (Synthetic Organic Chemistry) – Apply by October 1
The Department of Chemistry at Boston University invites applications from outstanding candidates for an Assistant Professor tenure track position in the field of Synthetic Organic Chemistry beginning July 1, 2023. Candidates with research focus broadly defined in the areas of chemical synthesis, with applications in catalysis and new reaction methodology development are particularly encouraged to apply. Strong […]
Open Tenure Track Assistant Professor Positions – (Open Area of Chemistry) – Apply by October 1
The Department of Chemistry at Boston University invites applications from outstanding candidates for an Assistant Professor tenure track position in an open area of Chemistry, beginning July 1, 2023. Strong candidates will have at least one year of postdoctoral research experience. The successful applicant will benefit from the department’s supportive and collegial environment, which includes close affiliations […]
Open Postdoctoral Associate/Lecturer Position – Applications Due September 9
The Department of Chemistry at Boston University invites applications for a full-time teaching and research Postdoctoral Associate Lecturer (PAL) opening starting January 1, 2023. This innovative program, formerly the Postdoctoral Faculty Fellow (PFF) program, is designed for recent Ph.D. recipients planning to pursue teaching-focused academic careers. Candidates must be capable of supporting the teaching of first-year undergraduate General […]
Juan Lopez (Class of ’22)
Single-Step Replacement of an Unreactive C–H Bond by a C–S Bond Using Polysulfide as the Direct Sulfur Source in the Anaerobic Ergothioneine Biosynthesis Ergothioneine, a natural longevity vitamin and antioxidant, is a thiol-histidine derivative. Recently, two types of biosynthetic pathways were reported. In the aerobic ergothioneine biosyntheses, non-heme iron enzymes incorporate a sulfoxide into an […]
Meiling Xu (Class of ’19)
Biochemical Characterization of a Multifunctional Mononuclear Nonheme Iron Enzyme (PtlD) in Neopentalenoketolactone Biosynthesis Pentalenolactone is a microbial sesquiterpenoid with antibiotic activity. Its biosynthetic pathway was elucidated by a combination of genetic and biochemical characterizations of all genes involved. For the related neopentalenoketolactone biosynthetic gene cluster from Streptomyces avermitilis, an α-ketoglutarate-dependent mononuclear nonheme iron enzyme, PtlD, was […]
Meiling Xu (Class of ’19) and Melissa Quill (Class of ’19)
Mechanistic Studies of a Nonheme Iron Enzyme OvoA in Ovothiol Biosynthesis Using a Tyrosine Analogue, 2-Amino-3-(4-hydroxy-3-(methoxyl) phenyl) Propanoic Acid (MeOTyr) Ovothiols are thiol-histidines that play important roles in protecting cells against oxidative stresses. Because of challenges faced in their chemical synthesis, biosynthesis provides an alternative option. In ovothiol biosynthesis, a nonheme iron enzyme (OvoA) catalyzes […]
Shu Wang (Class of ’16) and Huijue Lyu (Class of ’19)
In Vitro Reconstitution of the Remaining Steps in Ovothiol A Biosynthesis: C–S Lyase and Methyltransferase Reactions Ovothiols are thiolhistidine derivatives. The first step of ovothiol biosynthesis is OvoA-catalyzed oxidative coupling between histidine and cysteine. In this report, the remaining steps of ovothiol A biosynthesis were reconstituted in vitro. ETA_14770 (OvoB) was reported as a PLP-dependent sulfoxide lyase, […]
Vanessa Stahl (Class of ’21)
β-Catenin/CBP inhibition alters epidermal growth factor receptor fucosylation status in oral squamous cell carcinoma Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a major driver of head and neck cancer, a devastating malignancy with a major sub-site in the oral cavity manifesting as oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). EGFR is a glycoprotein receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) whose […]
Brian Stankus (Class of ’13)
Effective and Inexpensive HPLC Analogue for First-Year Students: Buret Chromatography of Food Dyes in Drinks Chromatography is a ubiquitous technique in analytical chemistry, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is the industry standard for quantitation of components in solution mixtures. However, demonstrating the principles of liquid chromatography to undergraduates via HPLC-based experiments often proves ineffective because […]
Surya Pulukuri (Class of ’21)
Step back, translate, extend: Addressing misconceptions relating to energy and free energy in cellular reactions via active‐learning videos In order to succeed in biochemistry, students must transfer and build upon their understanding of general chemistry and introductory biology concepts. One such critical area of knowledge is bioenergetics. Student misconceptions around energy and free energy must […]