Towards the Understanding of Structural Changes of Anticonvulsants
Have you ever wondered how we know the structures of molecules and even of atoms? -- Welcome to SPECTROSCOPY, which uses electromagnetic radiation to interrogate matter.
In my lab we focus on the understanding of the interactions between molecules because the key to understanding a molecule's behavior is to first understand its structure and then how it interacts with its immediate surroundings. Currently we are studying succinimides, a class of molecules that act as anticonvulsants are used to mitigate the effects of absence seizures. The lab is going in two directions and we are excited to have you join either project!
- The role that is played by the phenyl ring in the mechanism of action of certain anticonvulsants is still under active investigation. To probe this phenyl ring more directly we will use our newly acquired, tunable pulsed laser system to record vibronically resolved electronic spectra of a series of phenylsuccinimides using our Resonance-enhanced Multiphoton Ionization – Time-of-flight (REMPI-TOF) mass spectrometer. The three molecules we will target this summer are phensuximide, N-phenyl succinimide, and 4-amino phthalimide.
- We have recorded high resolution rotation spectra of several molecules that contain the succinimide group. To fully understand the structure, we need to finish analyzing and fitting the spectra to determine the key molecular parameters using specialized software written for the purpose, and then compare these experimental results with the predictions of electronic structure calculations. We will also extend this project to perform the calculations of the water clusters to start gaining molecular-scale understanding of aqueous solvation for the succinimide motif.
We are a molecular spectroscopy lab, which means you will gain expertise in a versatile set of skills. We are an experimental group, working with fast electronics, high vacuum, and supersonic expansions that cool the molecules within a few degrees of absolute zero. We analyze our data using quantum principles, existing software, and develop our own analysis programs. We also run electronic structure calculations to aid in the analysis and understanding of our data. You will participate in all of these endeavors, tailor-made to your own interests.
Note: Write a one-page essay maximum answering the following questions: Why do you think the MolSpec lab is the right fit for you? What project interests you the most?
Our research has its foundation in physical chemistry but uses instrumental methods that stretch far beyond those borders. Thus, students in my lab participate in a multidisciplinary research team, that uses physics, and engineering to study chemically important problems. If you are curious about working with state-of-the-art instrumentation, solving spectroscopic puzzles, and learning how to read literature, MolSpec may be the place for you!