Department of Chemistry, Columbia University

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The Novartis Lecture

“Short Stories in Computational Medicinal Chemistry”
Presented by Dr. Lewis Whitehead, Novartis

"Chemistry on the Brain: Understanding the Nicotine Receptor"
Presented by Prof. Dennis Dougherty, Caltech

The initial chemical event of nicotine addiction involves nicotine binding to and activating acetylcholine (ACh) receptors in the brain. ACh receptors, like most of the signaling molecules of the brain, are complex, integral membrane proteins that are resistant to the standard tools of structural biology and biochemistry. As such, chemistry provides the most powerful tool for unraveling the structures and functions of the molecules of memory, thought, and sensory perception; of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and schizophrenia. Using the mindset and methodologies of physical organic chemistry, and combining them with molecular biology, electrophysiology, and computer modelling, we have probed these complex membrane proteins with a precision and subtlety normally associated with small molecule studies. We have discovered key hydrogen bonding interactions that contribute to binding of small molecules to ACh receptors. Most significantly, we have established that the cation-π interaction plays a pivotal role in promoting the high potency of nicotine in the brain, leading to its addictive properties.

Dr. Lewis Whitehead, Novartis
(Lecture topic to be announced)

Hosted by Prof. Dalibor Sames

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Meet the Speaker at 1:00pm in The Miller Seminar Room, 328 Havemeyer
Tea & cookies at 3:00pm in The Miller Seminar Room, 328 Havemeyer
Seminars begin at 3:30pm in The Brian Bent Lecture Hall, Room 209 Havemeyer

**PLEASE NOTE UNUSUAL TIMES**

In memory of her late husband, George Fraenkel - a former chemistry professor at Columbia and from 1968 to 1983 the dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences - Eva Fraenkel has established the George K. Fraenkel Fund for Research in Physical Chemistry and Chemical Physics to support the research of junior faculty members appointed in the Department of Chemistry. The fund will be endowed at least in part via a planned bequest by Mrs. Fraenkel. If you wish to contribute to the fund, please contact Cookie Neil, Director for Science Development, 212-851-7988, cneil@columbia.edu.

Congratulations to chemistry graduate student Dan Treitler on receiving the 2010 Sigma-Aldrich Graduate Student Innovation Award (GSIA) and the Roche Excellence in Chemistry Award. Dan has been honored for his work in the laboratory of Professor Scott Snyder. He is one of just 5 recipients nationwide of the Aldrich Award and one of just 11 recipients of the Roche Award.

The Aldrich award includes a $5K stipend to be used for research consumables and travel and expense-paid travel to participate in a GSIA symposium and a tour of the Sigma Milwaukee facility. The Roche Award includes a crystal, an honorarium, and the opportunity to participate in a two-day Roche symposium highlighting the role of organic chemistry in pharmaceutical discovery.

More information about the work of Professor Snyder's research group can be found on the group website.

The department of chemistry is pleased to announce the appointment of two new faculty members: Dr. Wei Min and Dr. Luis Campos.

Dr. Min received his Ph.D. in chemistry from Harvard University, working on single-molecule enzyme biophysics under the supervision of Professor Xiaoliang Sunney Xie. He continued his postdoctoral work in Professor Xie's group, with his focus shifting to the development and application of novel multi-photon optical microscopy for bio-imaging. Dr. Min has contributed to the invention of novel bio-imaging techniques, notably, stimulated Raman scattering microscopy for label-free chemical imaging, stimulated emission microscopy for non-fluorescent fluorophore imaging, and super-resolution laser scanning microscopy through spatio-temporal modulation. You can learn more about the work of Professor Min on his group website.

Dr. Campos did his graduate work at UCLA under the direction of Professors M. A. Garcia-Garibay and K. N. Houk, where he studied light-induced processes in organic chemistry with emphasis on computational studies of the photochemistry of ketones, quantum mechanical tunneling, and the fabrication of plastic solar cells. Dr. Campos has also done postdoctoral work in the Materials Research laboratory of Professor C. J. Hawker at UCSB. Dr. Campos' research interests include understanding and controlling the factors that promote stem cell differentiation at the molecular level; exploiting fabrication techniques to improve the efficiency of solid-state lighting devices and organic solar cells; and employing highly efficient reactions for the synthesis and modification of polymeric systems. (Dr.Campos' group website coming soon!)