Many important problems in biomedical research and analysis result from the lack of selective detection methods of biomolecules of similar size and structure, but different function. For example, the discrimination of isomeric peptides remains a difficult problem. Recent developments in Laser Desorption/Laser Ionization Mass Spectroscopy (LD/LIMS) have shed some light on this area, but more new methodologies to enhance detection selectivity are clearly needed. The research proposed here describes the development of new techniques based on the ionization spectroscopy of amino acids and small peptides. The apparatus (already under construction at the University of Puerto Rico) will employ a standard design instrument for LD/LIMS. The concentration will be on identifying and classifying sharp spectral features which will fingerprint many of the amino acids in the wavelength region from 205-260 nm. Fragmentation patterns of isomeric oligopeptides will also be measured as a function of laser ionization power. The long term goals of this research project are to develop new useful methodologies for characterizing biomolecules, and to create physical models for the interactions of proteins with light in the far ultraviolet. The powerful technique described in this proposal has many uses with respect to the spectroscopy of large molecules. As our collective expertise develops, this methodology will be extended towards other important problems in biomedical research. The research project provides a strong student support component by emphasizing hands-on training in state-of-the-art techniques in the following areas: Optical and laser methods, vacuum technology, computer hardware and software, and mass spectrometry.
| Ramírez-Camejo, Luis A; Maldonado-Morales, Génesis; Bayman, Paul (2017) Differential Microbial Diversity in Drosophila melanogaster: Are Fruit Flies Potential Vectors of Opportunistic Pathogens? Int J Microbiol 2017:8526385 |
| Morales-Rivera, Keyla F; Piñero Cruz, Dalice M; Prieto, Jose A (2017) Crystal structure of (-)-(S)-4-[(2S,3S,4S,Z)-3-hydroxy-4-methyl-hept-5-en-2-yl]-1,3-dioxolan-2-one. Acta Crystallogr E Crystallogr Commun 73:1070-1072 |
| García-Arriaga, Marilyn; Acosta-Santiago, Maxier; Cruz, Antony et al. (2017) Probing the Limits of Supramolecular G-Quadruplexes Using Atomistic Molecular Dynamics Simulations. Inorganica Chim Acta 468:209-222 |
| Huang, Qing; Quiñones, Edwin (2016) A spectroscopic method to determine the activity of the restriction endonuclease EcoRV that involves a single reaction. Anal Biochem 497:103-5 |
| Mège, Pascal; Schizas, Nikolaos V; Reyes, Joselyd García et al. (2015) Genetic seascape of the threatened Caribbean elkhorn coral, Acropora palmata, on the Puerto Rico Shelf. Mar Ecol (Berl) 36:195-209 |
| Morales-Rivera, Amarilys; Hernández-Burgos, Mayté M; Martínez-Rivera, Arlene et al. (2014) Anxiolytic effects of oxytocin in cue-induced cocaine seeking behavior in rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 231:4145-55 |
| Ramírez-Camejo, Luis A; Torres-Ocampo, Ana P; Agosto-Rivera, José L et al. (2014) An opportunistic human pathogen on the fly: strains of Aspergillus flavus vary in virulence in Drosophila melanogaster. Med Mycol 52:211-9 |
| Martínez-Rivera, Arlene; Rodríguez-Borrero, Enrique; Matías-Alemán, María et al. (2013) Metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 within nucleus accumbens shell modulates environment-elicited cocaine conditioning expression. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 110:154-60 |
| Galindo-Cardona, Alberto; Acevedo-Gonzalez, Jenny P; Rivera-Marchand, Bert et al. (2013) Genetic structure of the gentle Africanized honey bee population (gAHB) in Puerto Rico. BMC Genet 14:65 |
| Santiago-Rodriguez, Tasha M; Rivera, Jessica I; Coradin, Mariel et al. (2013) Antibiotic-resistance and virulence genes in Enterococcus isolated from tropical recreational waters. J Water Health 11:387-96 |
Showing the most recent 10 out of 194 publications
