Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty

Anderson, Marc
B.S. (1995) University of Colorado at Boulder, Computer Science
Ph.D. (2001) University of California at Santa Cruz, Organic Chemistry
At SFSU since 2005
Tel: (415) 338-6495
E-mail: marc@sfsu.edu
Website: http://plasmodium.sfsu.edu/~marc/research

Research Area: Organic Chemistry
Our group uses organic synthesis and computational chemistry as tools to design inhibitors of therapeutically relevant drug targets in human illness. We are particularly interested in using structure-guided drug discovery techniques such as computational docking to aid in the discovery of potent and selective enzyme inhibitors. We are also interested in ligand-based drug discovery, notably using computational shape comparison software with known inhibitor scaffolds as a tool to identify novel classes of synthetically accessible inhibitors. Where possible, we plan to use parallel synthesis and purification (SPE, SPOS, etc.) techniques to improve the throughput of organic synthesis. We are currently developing inhibitors against several promising drug targets: IGF-1R (breast cancer), glutamate carboxypeptidase II (neuropathy and chronic pain), and PfHsp90 (malaria).

Aragon, Sergio
B.A. (1971) Rice Univ. ,Chemistry
M.S. (1976) Stanford University, Physics
Ph.D. (1976) Stanford University, Physical Chemistry
At SFSU since 1985
Tel: 415.338.7712
E-mail: aragons@sfsu.edu
Website: http://joule.sfsu.edu/aragons/aragon.html

Research Area: Physical Chemistry
Study of macromolecules (natural or synthetic) in solution by dynamic laser light scattering, transient electric birefringence and Monte Carlo simulation techniques. Measurements are made of various transport properties of systems at or near equilibrium to obtain information on size, conformation, shape and flexibility. In addition, a major thrust of this research is to develop appropriate theoretical models relevant to the measurements mentioned above. The theory involves the statistical mechanics
Of molecular motion in fluids, including internal motions, and the electromagnetics of scattering processes in the Rayleigh-Debye and Mie regimes. Computer algebra techniques are used in the theoretical and computational aspects of these problems. Recent research includes the application of boundary element methods for the accurate hydrodynamic computation of transport properties of proteins and nucleic acids in solution with the stick boundary condition and small to intermediate size molecules with the slip boundary condition.

Teaster Baird
BS (1992) Tougaloo College, Chemistry
Ph.D. (1997) Duke University, Biochemistry
At SFSU since 2002
Tel: 415.405.0935, Thornton Hall, room 817B
e-mail: tbaird@sfsu.edu

Research Area: Biochemistry
My research interests revolve around understanding the relationship between the structures of certain proteins, namely metallo-enzymes and proteases, and their functions. Our understanding of how the three dimensional structure of a protein dictates its function is limited. However, by examining known protein structures and making both semi-random and logical changes in the structure of a protein, we can rationalize how certain structural features give rise to certain aspects of its function. In some cases, this understanding can allow one to predictably introduce new functionalities into existing protein scaffolds. Experiments in my laboratory will be focused on designing and introducing metal binding sites into serine proteases to investigate their mechanisms of activation, altering serine protease structure to introduce new catalytic machinery, and examining catalytic and structural zinc binding sites in zinc metallo-proteins to dissect the factors that determine how the metal is used. Techniques used to design, produce and characterize the engineered proteins will include site-directed and random mutagenesis, computer modeling, the incorporation of non-natural amino acids and UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy.

Buttlaire, Daniel H.
B.A. (1963) University of Denver, Chemistry
Ph.D. (1970) University of Kansas, Biochemistry
Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, SFSU
Dean of Undergraduate Studies, SFSU
At SFSU since 1975
Tel: 415.338.1288
e-mail: db@sfsu.edu
Web Site: http://ariel.sfsu.edu/adm/db/info/hp.htm

Research Area: Biochemistry
Physical biochemistry/molecular biophysics. Structure-function relationships in macromolecular systems.

DeWitt, Jane D.
B. S. (1986) Univ. of CA Santa Barbara, Chemistry
Ph. D. (1992) Stanford University, Chemistry
At SFSU since 1995
Tel: 415.338.1895
email: dewitt@sfsu.edu

Research Area: Bioinorganic and Environmental Chemistry
The research in my laboratory focuses on understanding the mechanisms of heavy metal accumulation and transformation in higher plant systems from a chemical and molecular perspective. A variety of physical and biochemical techniques are being used to investigate the distribution and transformation of heavy metals by plants including atomic absorption spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, HPLC, size exclusion chromatography and X ray absorption spectroscopy. The goals of this research are to determine the change in speciation (oxidation state, geometry, coordination environment) that occurs upon accumulation of the metals by plants and to identify the biomolecules involved in metal complexation, thus providing insight into mechanisms of heavy metal tolerance in plants. The effect of heavy metals on gene expression is being investigated using polymerase chain reaction fingerprinting techniques and subtractive hybridization techniques. We hope to identify the genes involved in the transformation pathways we are characterizing by the techniques described above.

Erden, Ihsan
B.S. (1971,Vordiplom) Georg-August Univ. Göttingen, Chemistry
M.S. (1973,Diplom) Georg-August Univ. Göttingen, Chemistry
Ph.D. (1977) Georg-August Univ. Göttingen, Chemistry
At SFSU since 1981
Tel: 415.338.1627
email: ierden@sfsu.edu
Web Site: http://userwww.sfsu.edu/~ierden/welcome.html

Research Area: Organic Chemistry
Organic Synthesis, chemistry of singlet oxygen and organic peroxides, chemistry of fulvenes, small ring compounds, cycloadditions, heterocyclic chemistry. One of our ongoing projects focuses on the development of new synthetic methodologies based on functionalized allene oxides derived from saturated fulvene endoperoxides. Another project concerns the synthesis of nitrogen heterocycles based on a novel aza-Robinson annulation reaction. Among the target molecules are five-membered nitrogen heterocycles found in the naturally occurring family of tetramic acid antibiotics. Furthermore, environmentally benign oxidative C-C and C=N cleavage reactions are under investigation.

Research Area: Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Chemistry of Singlet Oxygen,
Organic peroxides, Oxygen and Nitrogen Heterocycles, Small Ring Compounds,

Current projects involve the synthesis of new synthetic methods based on organic peroxides. In particular, the chemistry of allene oxides derived from saturated fulvene
endoperoxides is being studied extensively.

Esquerra, Raymond
B.Sc. (1990) Stanford Univ., Physics
Ph.D. (1997) Univ. CA, Santa Cruz, Chemistry
At SFSU since 2000
Tel: 415.338.3444
email: esquerra@sfsu.edu

Research Area: Biochemistry
My research investigates the nature of protein function and the molecular basis of disease using a variety of biochemical and biophysical tools. I use specialized time-resolved absorption spectroscopy to determine the kinetics of protein function. In addition to kinetic investigations of normal protein function, I would like to determine how nonenzymatic glycosylation compromises protein function, providing a better understanding of how it contributes to disease (as in the case of diabetes), and how chemical modification, in general, affects protein function. The tools that my research uses are applicable to many biomolecules, allowing for a better understanding of how proteins perform their miraculous chemistries.

Gassner, George
B.S. (1989) Univ. of Minnesota, Biochemistry
Ph.D (1995) Univ. of Michigan, Biochemistry
At SFSU since 2000
Tel: 415. 338.1366
email: gassner@sfsu.edu

Reasearch Area: Biochemistry
We are interested in studying enzymes which employ transition metals and orgainic cofactors in their reaction mechanisms. This interesting group of biocatalysts has functions both in microbial metabolism and in the metabolic pathways, organogenesis, and homeostasis of higher organisms. Our studies will include oxidases and hydroxylases involved in microbial oxidation of organic and halogenated organic compounds such and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's), amino acid hydroxylases, which produce reactive groups that cross-link connective tissues, diamine oxidase, a DNA binding enzyme which transforms biological amines to aldehydes, and enzymes in the pathway of heme catabolism, including heme oxygenase and biliverdin reductase. Biophysical studies will include: (1) Investigation of individual steps in enzyme reaction mechanisms by continuous flow, stopped-flow, and rapid-quench experiments monitoring changes in surface plasmon resonance, fluorescence, absorbance, and other spectroscopic signals. (2) Thermodynamic measurements of small molecule-protein, DNA-protein, and protein-protein binding interactions by electrophoresis, titration calorimetry, analytical ultracentrifugation, and spectroscopic methods (3) Measurement of electron-transfer rates and equilibrium midpoint potentials of redox enzymes. Biochemical studies will include protein purification, eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell culture, and recombinant DNA technologies applied to the isolation and expression of the enzyme systems of interest.

Gerber, Nancy
B.S. (1988) Univ. of Florida, Physics
Ph.D. (1993) Univ. of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, Biochemistry
At SFSU since 1996
Tel: 415.338.1160
email: ngerber@sfsu.edu
web page: http://userwww.sfsu.edu/~ ngerber/

Research Area: Metalloprotein Biochemistry
The study of structure-function relationships in redox and metalloproteins with particular emphasis on heme proteins. Areas of study include enzyme mechanisms, electron transport, protein-protein interactions, and protein engineering for altered specificities/activities. Techniques used include side-directed and semi-random mutagenesis, UV/Vis, EPR and FTIR spectroscopies, and stopped-flow spectrophotometry as well as standard heterologous protein expression and purification techniques. Current areas of study are cytochrome P-450 enzymes and soluble guanylyl cyclase.

Guliaev, Anton
BS/MS (1993) Moscow State University, Biophysics
Ph.D. (1999) Bowling Green State University, Chemistry
At SFSU since 2007
Tel: 415.405.2961
email: guliaev@sfsu.edu
web page:

Research Area: Computational and Structural Biochemistry
Recent developments in computational chemistry have provided new ways of obtaining structural data and biophysical properties of important biological molecules. The overall research interest in my lab will focus on conformational studies of the macromolecules structures, including molecular dynamics simulations of proteins and protein/DNA complexes of the DNA repair machinery. DNA repair is the key mechanism involved in preserving genome integrity and providing defense against carcinogenic events in cells. The current topics of research will include computational studies of carcinogen modified bases and understanding the role of structural features in human DNA repair and recognition. We will also focus our studies on the effects of toxic metals on DNA repair efficiency. These metals are known to cause cancer in both humans and animals, in addition to their other adverse health effects. The structural studies of the metal/protein interactions will provide insight into the mechanism of metal carcinogenicity at the molecular level. Some of the computational work will be performed in concert with biochemical experiments.

Ichimura, Andrew S.
Assistant Professor
Tel: 415.405.0721
Fax: 415.338.2384
email: ichimura@sfsu.edu

Research Area: Physical Chemistry/Materials Chemistry
Self-assembly of zeolite monolayers and multilayered materials; spectroscopic (FTIR, UV-vis-NIR, EPR, ENDOR) investigations of novel solid state reducing agents; computational chemistry. Our research focuses on the physical properties and applications of alkali metal doped pure silica zeolites. Zeolites are microporous materials that have traditionally found use in catalysis, separations, and exchange processes. However, zeolites with conducting or semiconducting properties might find use in the development of chemical or optical sensors and detectors. Our materials are prepared by addition of alkali metals (M=Na, K, Rb, Cs) to silica zeolites (SZ) to form a novel class of intercalation compounds, M@SZ. These systems are predicted to be metallic and therefore good conductors. They are also excellent reducing agents. Specifically, our research objectives are to (1) develop strategies to prepare thin films of these conductive zeolites on gold surfaces or ITO glass, and (2) to explore the potential of M@SZ as novel solid state reducing agents for organic and inorganic substrates. In principle, the size and shape selectivity intrinsic to zeolitic structures coupled with the intercalated alkali metal may yield reagents with chemistry quite different from what is observed in homogeneous solution.

Keeffe, James R.
B.A. (1959), Santa Barbara College, Chemistry
Ph.D. (1964) Univ. of Washington, Organic Chemistry
At SFSU since 1965
Tel: 415.338.1117
email: keeffe@sfsu.edu

Research Area: Organic Chemistry
Physical organic chemistry, reaction mechanisms, structure-reactivity relationships among C-H acids, molecular modeling for undergraduate organic chemistry students.

Tomoko Komada
(1993) Int.l Christian Univ., Tokyo, Chemistry
M.S. (1996) Rutgers, The State Univ. of New Jersey, Oceanography
Ph.D. (2002) Rutgers, The State Univ. of New Jersey, Oceanography
At SFSU since 2004
Tel: 415-338-3748, -1288
e-mail: tkomada@sfsu.edu
web page: http://userwww.sfsu.edu/~tkomada/

Research Area: Marine Biogeochemistry
My research focuses on understanding the long-term organic carbon cycle, with emphasis on the processes taking place at the land-ocean margin. I utilize nat ural abundance radiocarbon (14C), in conjunction with the stable isotope 13C, to investigate the sources, cycling, and fate of various organic carbon pools i n the environment. Topics of interest include: sediment biogeochemistry and the significance of coastal benthic processes in organic matter dynamics, compos ition of organic matter suspended in rivers and its fate in the ocean, and the role of organic-mineral associations in organic matter degradation and preserv ation.

Mary Luckey
B.A.(1970) Hope College, Chemistry
Ph.D.(1976) Univ. of CA, Berkeley, Biochemistry
At SFSU since 1982
Tel: 415-338-7714
e-mail: luckey@sfsu.edu
web page: http://chembiochem.sfsu.edu/~luckey/

Research Area: Biochemistry
Structure, function and biogenesis of LamB protein, the maltoporin in the outer membrane of Escherichia coli: Purification and reconstitution of LamB and mutant LamB proteins. Role of the disulfide bond in LamB protein in protein folding, trimer assembly and integration in the outer membrane. Role of chaperones in LamB protein biogenesis.

Macher, Bruce A.
B.S. (1971) Univ. of CA, Riverside, Biochemistry
Ph.D. (1976) Univ. of CA, Riverside, Biochemistry
At SFSU since 1987
Tel: 415.338.6078
e-mail: macher@sfsu.edu

Research Area: Biochemistry
We are developing approaches to characterize the plasma membrane proteome, with a particular focus on the glycoproteome. Our goal is to characterize the dynamics of the plasma membrane proteome and identify protein and carbohydrate markers of onto- and oncogenesis, and other disease processes.

Manning, Bruce
B.S. (1985) Univ.of Massachusetts, Environmental Science
Ph.D. (1993) Univ. of CA Davis, Environmental Chemistry
At SFSU since 1999
Tel: 415.338.1292
e-mail: bmanning@sfsu.edu
web page: http://userwww.sfsu.edu/~bmanning

Research Area: Environmental - Analytical
Determination of molecular surface structures of trace elements and oxyanions adsorbed on synthetic metal oxides, clay minerals, and soils using extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (EXAFS). Separation and detection of redox sensitive elements (arsenic(III)/(V), selenium(IV)/(VI), and chromium(III)/(VI)) by hyphenated analytical techniques. Synthesis and characterization of metal oxides and metal oxide-coated substrates. Equilibrium and surface complexation chemical modeling of environmental systems.

Orenberg, James
B.A. (1965) Williams College, Chemistry
Ph.D. (1969) The Pennsylvania State Univ. (Chemistry)
At SFSU since 1972
Tel: 415.338.1288
e-mail: orenberg@sfsu.edu

Research Area: Analytical Chemistry
Evaluation of Mars Soil Analog Materials by chemical and spectral (reflectance spectroscopy) means coupled with head space gas chromatography of simulations of the Viking Biology experiments in order to draw conclusions regarding the composition and structure of the Martian soil, its water content, and its relationship to the geochemistry, atmosphere volatile cycles, and possible primitive exobiological and organic processes of the planet.

Palmer, Pete
B.S. (1983) Canisius College, Chemistry
Ph.D. (1988) , Michigan State Univ., Analytical Chemistry
At SFSU since 1994
Tel: 415.338.7717
e-mail: palmer@sfsu.edu

Research Area: Analytical-Environmental Chemistry
My research includes the development and characterization of highly automated instrumentation and methods for trace level analysis applications. This includes techniques such as X-Ray Fluorescence, Solid Phase Micro-extraction (SPME), Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS), and ion trap and tandem mass spectrometry. Some of my group's more notable accomplishments to date include rapid screening of toxic elements in Asian medicines and consumer products via XRF, analysis of heavy metal and organic pesticide contamination on Native American artifacts using both XRF and GC/MS, development of the first Proton Transfer Reaction Ion Trap Mass Spectrometer, and the development and use of Direct Sampling Mass Spectrometry and GC/MS methods for monitoring volatile organic compounds on Mir space station. I also serve as a consultant for FDA, NASA, and am actively involved in oversight of remediation efforts at the Hunters Point Shipyard in San Francisco.

Simonis, Ursula
Diploma (1982) Westfalishce Wilhelms-Univ., Munster, Chemistry
Ph.D. (1985) Westfalishce Wilhelms-Univ., Munster, Chemistry
At SFSU since 1985
Tel: 415.338.1656
e-mail: uschi@sfsu.edu

Research Area: Bioinorganic Chemistry
Investigations of biologically relevant paramagnetic iron porphyrin, chromium, zinc, and organocobalt complexes to mimic the active sites of important heme proteins, the glucose tolerance factor, zinc enzymes, and vitamin B12. Synthesis of new model complexes and solution structure analysis by spectroscopic methods, primarily by modern multi-dimensional NMR spectroscopy to obtain new insights into the structure-function relationships of the corresponding biomolecules. Investigations and structural characterization of small organic molecules, porphyrins and metalloporphyrins embedded in model membranes aimed at synthesizing clinically useful drugs for cancer detection and therapy. Development of the multi-dimensional NMR methodology for the resonance assignment and structural characterization of paramagnetic molecules to determine the scope and limits of multi-nuclear and multi-dimensional NMR spectroscopy for the structural analysis of paramagnetic molecules.

Trautman, Raymond
B.A. (1977) Trinity College, Univ. of Dublin, Chemistry
Ph.D. (1980) Trinity College, Univ. of Dublin, Chemistry
At SFSU since 1987
Tel: 415.338.2379
e-mail: trautman@sfsu.edu

Research Area: Inorganic chemistry
Photochemistry and photophysics of organometallic compounds, especially metal alkyl and metal alkenyl compounds. Reaction mechanisms in solution related to homogeneous catalysis. Intercalation chemistry of zeolites, adsorption of heavy metals by zeolites and iron oxides.

Wu, Weiming
B.S. (1986) Nanjing Univ., Chemistry
Ph.D. (1992) Univ. of Illinois, Chemistry
At SFSU since 1995
Tel: 415.338.1436
e-mail: wuw@sfsu.edu

Research Area: Bioorganic chemistry.
Our research group is interested in the design, synthesis, and study of enzyme substrate analogs. These analogs are designed to elucidate the catalytic mechanism of biologically important enzymes. The possibility of these analogs being developed as medicinal agents will also be investigated. Current interests concern an enzyme in the nucleic acid biosynthetic pathway, orotidine-5'-monophosphate decarboxylase

Lecturers

Ho, Charles
Tel: 415. 338.7871
e-mail: ykho@sfsu.edu

Isaac, Meden
Tel: 415. 338.6820
e-mail: meden@sfsu.edu

Kaur, Jassi
Tel: 415. 405.0726
e-mail: jassikaur@aol.com
web site: http://www.coursemanager.com/js

Martin, Jane
Tel: 415. 405.0726
e-mail: jmartin@sfsu.edu

Michaely, William
Tel: 415. 405.0726
e-mail: wjm7070@sfsu.edu

Runquist, Beth
Tel: 415. 405.0549
e-mail: earun@sfsu.edu

Sequin, Margareta
Tel: 415. 405.0549
e-mail: msequin@sfsu.edu

Tse, Albert
Tel: 415. 338.7871
e-mail: altse88@yahoo.com

Vannelli, Tommaso
Tel: 415.338.6820
e-mail: tommaso@sfsu.edu