Research OverviewFree Radicals in Biological Systems Free radicals are atoms or fragments of molecules that have one or more unpaired electrons, and are highly chemical reactive. Free radicals are of interest in biological systems for several reasons. Free radicals can be harmful when they react with vital molecules such as DNA, causing mutations that in some cases may lead to cancer. Free radicals are also important in host defenses, such as killing of bacteria by neutrophils. In addition, new lines of evidence indicate that free radicals also play important roles in cell signaling. | Research DescriptionResearch Area: Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Specialties: free radicals, spin trapping/electron spin resonance For the past twenty-five years, my research has centered on the role of free radicals in biological systems. This research has focused on two goals: (a) the development of methods to detect and characterize free radicals generated during cellular activation in vitro and in vivo and (b) the investigation of the biological consequences of these reactive species.
Central to the exploration of biologically generated free radicals is the ability to be able to identify and characterize these reactive species at the site of formation. The method of choice is spin trapping/ electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy, which has allowed us to detect free radicals such as hydroxyl radical and nitric oxide in animals in real time. While production of free radicals... Complete Information... |
Representative PublicationsJ. Weaver, S. Porasuphatana, P. Tsai, G.-L. Cao, T.A. Budzichowski, L.J. Roman and G. M. Rosen. The Effect of Divalent Cations On Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase Activity. Toxicol. Sci. 81: 325-331(2004). J. Weaver, P. Tsai, S. Pou and G.M. Rosen. Superoxide Dismutase versus Ferricytochrome c: Determining Rate Constants for the Spin Trapping of Superoxide by Cyclic Nitrones. J. Org. Chem. 69: 8423-8428 (2004). G.M. Rosen, S.R. Burks, M.J. Kohr and J.P.Y. Kao. Synthesis and Biological Testing of Aminoxyls Designed for Long-term Retention by Living Cells. Org. Biomol. Chem. 3: 645-648 (2005). Complete Listing... |
