Associate Professor
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Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics (SMD)
Credentials
Education
PhD | Univ Rochester Sch Med/Dent.Biophysics.1982
MD | Univ Rochester Sch Med/Dent.Medicine.1981
MS | Univ Rochester Sch Med/Dent.Biophysics.1976
BS | Union College.Physics.1973
Research
The structure of a biologically active molecule (i.e. a drug) is intimately related to its function. Our laboratory employs the technique of macromolecular crystallography to elucidate molecular structure, and to relate this structure to biological function. Crystallographic methods are used to defi...
The structure of a biologically active molecule (i.e. a drug) is intimately related to its function. Our laboratory employs the technique of macromolecular crystallography to elucidate molecular structure, and to relate this structure to biological function. Crystallographic methods are used to define the structures of complexes between active ligands and their enzymatic targets. This information is used in conjunction with ancillary modeling and computational techniques to identify, at the molecular level, specific interactions important in stabilizing these complexes.
Current research projects examine a series of chemotherapeutic dinucleotide analogues of the cofactor NAD. These agents act as general inhibitors of the class of enzymes known as dehydrogenases. Different inhibitors show marked variations in specificities and affinities for different enzymes. These variations in ligand binding can be attributed to distinct alterations in both intra- and intermolecular interactions observed in the enzyme-inhibitor complexes.
Structural results at atomic resolution are correlated with biochemical and pharmacological data. The ultimate aim of these studies is to identify conformational features which enhance drug activity. These features can then be preserved in the intelligent design of new analogues.
Franchetti P, Cappellacci L, Sheikha GA, Jayaram HN, Gurudutt VV, Sint T, Schneider BP, Jones WD, Goldstein BM, Perra G, De Montis A, Loi AG, La Colla P, Grifantini M
Journal of medicinal chemistry.. 1997 May 2340 (11):1731-7. Epub 1900 01 01.
Pankiewicz KW, Zeidler J, Ciszewski LA, Bell JE, Goldstein BM, Jayaram HN, Watanabe KA
Journal of medicinal chemistry.. 1993 June 2536 (13):1855-9. Epub 1900 01 01.
Synthesis of Carbocyclic Analogues of 1-beta-D-Psicoofuranosyl Nucleosides. Psico-cyclopentenyladenosine (Psicoplanocin A) and Psico-cyclopentenylcytosine
