Swarna Basu

My research projects involve the application of fundamental physical chemistry concepts and techniques in order to answer questions of biological and biophysical significance.

We are making nanoparticles using green sources (ex. lemongrass, eucalyptus, honey from the SU Beekeeper’s Club). The nanoparticles are characterized using including light scattering and electron microscopy. We are measuring singlet oxygen, a reactive species, generated from nanoparticles, and determining ways to either inhibit or harness these species for useful applications. Singlet oxygen is being used to cross-link proteins using a laser and potentially create artificial tissue on a microscope slide. The anti-cancer properties, anti-proliferative effects and immunomodulatory effects of various nanoparticles are being tested on cell lines. Finally, these nanoparticles are being used to determine the best candidate for deactivating dyes commonly used as food coloring.

We are also looking at the interaction of quadruplex DNA sequences associated with neurodegenerative disorders (ALS, Fragile X) with neurotransmitter molecules like dopamine, melatonin and serotonin. DNA binding experiments are being carried out using fluorescence spectroscopy, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and computational methods.

Students working in my lab gain hands-on experience in using laser techniques, nanomaterials synthesis and characterization and a wide range of biophysical and biochemical applications.

Bill Dougherty

Our lab broadly investigates the effect coordination environment has on the reduction and oxidation properties of transition metals. This research has applications in the field of organometallic chemistry for the rational design of transition-metal catalysts that perform desired electrochemical reactions.

We are currently focused on two different types of metal complexes; those bearing either redox non-innocent ligands (NILs) or Janus head ligands. NILs contribute their own electrochemical activity to transition-metal complexes and may interfere with the assignment of metal oxidation states. NILs can also act as electron reservoirs, temporarily storing electrons and preventing first-row transition metals from adopting unfavorable oxidation states.

Furthermore, single-electron transfer can produce ligand radicals which may aid in breaking and making bonds during catalytic cycles. Janus head ligands are a class of ligands that have two sets of donor atoms oriented in opposite directions. These ligands can be used to generate complexes containing multiple metal atoms and allow us to examine the redox properties of metals in close proximity to one another.

We use organic and inorganic synthetic techniques to make our molecules then investigate their structure and reactivity through NMR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, UV-visible spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry.

Geneive Henry

My research is focused on the synthetic modification of small bioactive natural products to enhance their medicinal properties. There are several active research projects in my lab, two of which are highlighted below.

The chromene core is present in many plant-derived natural products and is responsible for a wide range of biological effects: anticancer, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective. We synthesize chromene derivatives containing a variety of structural features, e.g., different functional groups, and determine the influence of these structural changes on anticancer and SARS-CoV-2 inhibitory activities.

Phenolic compounds are widely known as potent antioxidant and anticancer agents. We are interested in developing new molecules containing phenolic units to determine the influence of the number and location of phenol groups on free radical scavenging and copper(II) ion reducing activities. In addition, we evaluate the influence of phenol groups on DNA cleavage ability, which indicates their potential anticancer properties.

Students in my lab gain exposure to a wide range of chemical and biological techniques which include organic synthesis, spectroscopy, chromatography, and gel electrophoresis. Students also learn computational methods to determine interaction of molecules with drug targets such as DNA and SARS-CoV-2 proteins.

Twice in four years, Geneive was recognized by the Council of Undergraduate Research as a leader and role model within the undergraduate research community. In 2020, she received the CUR Outstanding Mentorship Award (for chemistry) and in 2024, she was selected for the CUR Fellows Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research Leadership (watch the video and read the press release to learn more).  

Michael Parra

Research in my lab is focused on understanding the role that histones and histone variants play in epigenetic regulation of DNA-templated processes such as transcription, DNA-damage response and repair, and DNA replication. Specifically, we are interested in the histone H2A variant H2A.Z. H2A.Z is placed in distinct regions of chromatin. H2A.Z has a variety of important functions including: regulating the expression of genes, preventing the ectopic spread of heterochromatin from telomeres into the chromosome, and regulating the separation of chromosomes during cell division. Indeed, misplacement of H2A.Z leads to a number of cellular defects. There are three main areas of study in my lab: 1) understanding how the cell distinguishes between the canonical histones and histone variants; 2) understanding the mechanism(s) whereby H2A.Z is deposited onto chromatin; and 3) understanding the biological function(s) of H2A.Z phosphorylation and SUMOYlation (two novel posttranslational modifications recently found to decorate H2A.Z). To carry out this research, the we use the model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker’s yeast).

Studies in my lab utilize a variety of biochemical and genetic techniques. These techniques include: manipulation of DNA to systematically introduce mutations on histones and other chromatin-related genes, genetic manipulation of yeast, isolation and purification of biomolecules, isolation of chromatinzed proteins, quantitative Western and Far Western blot analysis, affinity immunoprecipitation, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, Chromatin Immunoprecipitation, and high throughput phenotypic analysis (spotting assay).

Lou Ann Tom

My research is in developing molecularly imprinted polymers designed to detect low levels of specific analytes, such as pharmaceuticals and pesticides from matrices such as water, and the potential for removal of sulfur-containing compounds from diesel fuel for pollution concerns. My research has expanded to include investigation into the potential for photocatalytic degradation of common pharmaceuticals for disposal. There is potential for misuse and improper disposal of drugs left unused by patients, and therefore environmental contamination. Photodegradation of drugs by UV radiation is being studied as a convenient method to reduce the cost of disposal and the risk of improper disposal.

Two additional research projects involve analyses using spiders. The elucidation of sex pheromones in spiders is being investigated using SPME followed by GC/MS could potentially lead to the development of novel and natural pesticides against crop pests. The accumulation of heavy metals in spiders collected from brownfield sites is also being studied to determine if levels of heavy metals can provide information on the potential transfer of metals in the food chain.

Another research project is the analysis of Susquehanna River water and sediment for metals using atomic absorption spectroscopy and potentially x-ray fluorescence.

A final research project involves the development of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) to detect low levels of variety of compounds including insecticides, pain killers, antibiotics, and other pharmaceuticals that are used commonly and have the potential to end up in the environment and in river water.

Phillip Brogdon

My research lab is focused on the synthesis and characterization of conjugated organic dye molecules. These dyes find use in various electronic and biological applications. By focusing on the synthesis of modular intermediates, we can rapidly make a variety of final targets and tailor dye functionality to these diverse purposes.

A major focus of our work is in developing dyes as photosensitizers for solar cells that are more cost efficient than currently available silicon-based solar panels. These dyes must be solution processable, absorb light in the visible spectrum, and possess anchoring functional groups that can bind the organic dye to an inorganic semiconductor. Conveniently, by using symmetric electron donating building blocks, we can easily synthesize structures with multiple carboxylic acid anchors that allow for stable devices and fine tuning of oxidation potentials and optical bands gaps.

Additionally, because of the modular structure of conjugated dyes, we can install a variety of electron accepting functional groups in conjugation with the electron donor in an A-D-A structure (A = acceptor, D = Donor) to create novel emissive materials. Using a rapid synthetic approach, we can investigate the optical properties of a series of analogous dyes in a short amount of time.

We use common characterization techniques such as NMR and IR spectroscopy to confirm the structure of targets. Our group also uses UV-vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry to evaluate the feasibility of a dye’s application in solar cells or as emissive materials