The main area of my research focus is neurochemistry. My research interests include the project in which I am currently involved which entails the design and synthesis of analogues of L-glutamate, the most abundant excitatory amino acid neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system. This project is a collaborative effort with Professor Bridges' research group in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Montana, who take the synthetic compounds and test for inhibitory activity a glutamate receptors and transporters. The large scope of this project is to gain insight into potential causes of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and epilepsy, while on a molecular level the goal is to delineate the binding site pharmacophores of the various receptors and transporters.
 

I am also interested in looking at glutamine transport in a number of systems. Glutamine is intimately involved in glutamate cycling in the brain and is also a source of metabolic nitrogen and energy. Although the importance of this amino acid has been referred to, little is known about the transport in the brain, including both neurons and glial cells. I currently have two grant proposals pending on this area of neuronal glutamine transport, one submitted to NIH and another submitted to the Department of Defense. I am also currently preparing a grant proposal concerning glutamine transport in oligodendrocytes and the possible importance in the demyelination process in multiple sclerosis. Recent literature has also identified glutamine imbalances in conjunction with heart and lung conditions. Glutamine may have important implications in repair mechanisms as well as normal function, and study of the glutamine transport systems in these organs is also planned.
 

The general approach to these projects is to identify lead compounds (glutamine or glutamate analogues) that exhibit inhibitory activity in the system of interest. These lead compounds will then form the basis for the design of second generation compounds using Silicon Graphics molecular modeling programs for proper three-dimensional placement of functional groups and carbon backbones. In some cases it may be beneficial to obtain an array of molecules that differ only slightly. In these cases it may be feasible to use combinatorial chemistry technology to synthesize these compound libraries.
 

My research interests also include the area of natural products chemistry, more specifically chemical constituents of medicinal herbs. I am currently preparing to undertake a collaborative project with Professor Keith Parker and Professor Russ Medora in the Pharmaceutical Sciences Department involving active constituents of the herb feverfew at the serotonin receptors. An important aspect of the chemical isolation part of this type of research is that it is readily accessible to undergraduate research assistants.