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American Chemical Society
New York Section, Inc.
Department of Chemistry
St. John's University
8000 Utopia Parkway
Jamaica, NY 11439
Phone 516-883-7510
Fax 516-883-4003
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LONG ISLAND SUBSECTION
Students are encouraged to attend.
Queensborough Community College
Science Building, Room S-111
Directions
Social: 5:30 pm Seminar: 6:00 PM
Cost: Seminar is free and open to all
Dinner: Following at a nearby restaurant ($25)
2013 Meetings
February 7, 2013 John Regan, Department of Chemistry, Queensborough Community CollegeSearching for Safer Anti-inflammatory Drugs During the past fifty years the successful treatment of inflammatory diseases has relied on the use of glucocorticoid (GC) agonists such as dexamethasone and prednisolone. While effective in controlling asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and other disorders, GC therapy is fraught with a number of severe side effects that hampers high dose and chronic administration. The probability of identifying a GC agonist with a better safety profile compared to existing therapies has substantially increased with newer understandings of the molecular mechanism of action. After an agonist enters a target cell and binds to the glucocorticoid hormone receptor (GR), the ligand-activated complex (GRC) translocates into the nucleus where direct and indirect functional pathways can be accessed. Acting directly, the GRC serves as an endogenous transcription factor by binding to specific DNA sequences and coactivator proteins, thereby initiating transcription of metabolic and endocrine genes. GRC-mediated transactivation of these genes is believed to contribute to the side effect profile of GC therapy. Acting indirectly, the GRC adopts a conformation with an affinity for transcription factors (e.g., NF-kB and AP-1). Subsequent binding to these transcription factors results in the inhibition of expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6. This process, known as transrepression, is thought to contribute, in part, to the anti-inflammatory component of GCs. Therefore, the search for GC agonists with a dissociated profile (greater transrepression than transactivation activity) has accelerated in recent years with an appreciation of the complex molecular pathways and the anticipation of an improved safety margin. We report on structure-activity-relationships (SAR) of a hybrid class of non-steroidal glucocorticoid agonists which combine essential pharmacophores of steroid A- and D-rings. Their biological assessment for nuclear receptor binding affinity, cellular activity of transrepression and transactivation, and anti-inflammatory properties will be discussed. In addition, the importance of optimum physicochemical properties for drug development will be highlighted. |
March 7, 2013 Matthew G. Donahue, Janssen Research and Development, The Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & JohnsonOrganic Synthesis in Pharmaceutical Research Incorporating Long Lived Radioactive Isotopes Radioactivity is the spontaneous emission of radiation from an unstable nucleus. Since the discovery of radioactivity by Becquerel, Sklodowska-Curie, and Curie (Physics Nobel Laureates in 1903) scientists have utilized radiation for biomedical research. Long lived radioisotopes such as tritium (t1/2 12.3 years) and carbon-14 (t1/2 5730 years) are powerful tools used to evaluate the potential of preclinical drug candidates for commercial development. The intrinsic properties of each isotope make them uniquely useful for determining different absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) properties of a drug. In this seminar, I will discuss my experiences as a synthetic organic chemist handling radioactive materials and describe the importance of such materials in a pharmaceutical research environment. Matthew Donahue is currently a synthetic chemist in the Isotope Synthesis group in Janssen R&D in Spring House, PA. He has held similar radiosynthesis positions at Wyeth Research (now Pfizer) and Boehringer Ingelheim. He earned his Ph.D. from The Ohio State University and did postdoctoral study at Vanderbilt University. |
April 26, 2013 13th Annual Chemistry ChallengeThis is a chemistry knowledge competition between student teams from area two- and four-year institutions. Thirty multiple choice questions (approximately 75% General and 25% Organic Chemistry) are asked in a friendly and exciting atmosphere that brings colleges and their students and faculty together. Each team is made of three members and all are welcome. Medals will be awarded to first, second and third place winners. Student participants will also receive a Barnes & Noble gift card and/or a copy of the Merck Index! Accept the Challenge!! Time: 5:00pm dinner, 6:00pm Chemistry Challenge Place: Queensborough Community College, Science Bldg S-111 Flyer |
April 4, 2013 Mahesh K. Lakshman, The City College and The City University of New YorkNew Chemistry Towards Pharmacological Agents Based on the Nucleoside Scaffold Nucleosides are ubiquitous entities in all life forms and they are the fundamental building blocks of genetic material. It is not therefore surprising that the nucleoside scaffold has been a target for structural modifications. Nucleoside analogues have found wide use as antiviral agents and cancer therapeutics. Existing, and more importantly emerging diseases, require the development of new pharmacological agents, and this is in part the focus of our research program. In this context, recent research in our laboratories has led to the understanding of nucleoside amide bond activation by 1H-benzotriazol-1-yloxy-tris(dimethylamino)phosphonium hexafluorophosphate. The ensuing reactive nucleosides are excellent substrates for nucleoside modification, and one possible conversion is the synthesis of 6-azido purine nucleosides. These compounds are unusual in their behavior and exhibit a solvent-dependent equilibrium of the azide and the tetrazolyl forms. Under carefully controlled conditions, azidopurine nucleosides undergo azide-alkyne ligation reactions, to yield 1,2,3-triazolyl nucleoside analogues. 2-Azidohypoxanthine nucleosides, prepared via an alternate route, also participate in azide-alkyne ligation reactions. The resulting C-2 triazolyl hypoxanthine nucleosides can be subsequently activated by 1H-benzotriazol-1-yloxy-tris(dimethylamino)phosphonium hexafluorophosphate, leading to C-2 triazolyl adenosine analogues. The chemistry represents new avenues for nucleoside modification, and the results from the biological testing of the novel entities provides leads to new pharmacologically interesting molecules. |
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